Odisha has deployed 123 fire service units and ODRAF teams across eight red alert districts as Cyclone Montha nears. Equipped with rescue boats and power tools, teams are conducting large-scale evacuations and relief work. Control rooms and senior officers are monitoring the situation round the clock
Civil defence personnel make announcement through a megaphone at a beach amid pre-cyclone preparedness for Cyclone Montha. Pic/PTI
With Cyclone Montha approaching Odisha, the state government has deployed 123 fire service units across the state. The Odisha government, with a view to safeguarding the people across the state, has prioritised eight districts classified as "red zones".
As reported by news agency ANI, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams are equipped with rescue boats, motor rafts, power saws, and generators to carry out swift rescue and relief operations. Moreover, the fire personnel are engaged in search and rescue, evacuation, debris clearance, and distribution of essential supplies.
In view of safeguarding the people of the state, fire services teams are also assisting local administrations in the large-scale evacuation of vulnerable residents from low-lying and hilly areas to safe shelters. Also, round-the-clock control rooms have been made operational to monitor the situation and coordinate rescue and relief efforts.
As per PTI, the Odisha Fire Services personnel, trained to handle multiple emergencies, are equipped with modern technology to respond to various contingencies.
With weather agencies hinting that the cyclone approaching the state can be lethal, nine additional firefighter teams have been dispatched from Bhubaneswar on Monday. As per PTI, eight firefighter teams have been dispatched to Gajapati district and one to Ganjam district, as landslides are anticipated in Gajapati and the Kalinga Ghat section between Kandhamal and Ganjam districts.
Speaking on preparedness, RC Majhi, Chief Fire Officer, Odisha, said, "Whenever a cyclone approaches Odisha, it becomes a statewide challenge. Under the direct instructions of our Chief Minister, we are ensuring there is zero loss of life.”
The chief fire officer further added that “senior officers are monitoring the situation closely with regular meetings, and 123 fire service teams have already been deployed across eight red alert districts, such as Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and others. Also, our 144 teams will remain in Cuttack and other coastal regions in case of urban flooding, etc."
“All teams are equipped with heavy-duty gas chainsaws and telescopic lights and are prepared for night operations and road clearance. In case of heavy rains and landslides, JCBs have been pre-positioned in hilly areas... and we're coordinating with municipal corporations like BMC and CMC for urban flood response and tree clearance," he added, as per ANI.
(With inputs from ANI)
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