Raipur, Oct 27 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh government has directed all district collectors to stay on alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Arnab, ordering round-the-clock relief camps, uninterrupted medical services and heightened vigilance, with zero casualties as the goal, officials said on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Raipur centre has forecast heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday and Thursday under the influence of the cyclonic storm over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify further.
Cyclone Arnab is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Chhattisgarh Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua issued the directions during a meeting held at Mantralaya on Monday evening to review preparations for the cyclone from October 27 to 29, an official statement said.
The collectors joined the meeting via video conferencing.
Pingua directed officials to ensure all necessary preparations to deal with the situation and take weather warnings seriously, it said.
The meeting focused on ensuring zero casualties, with special emphasis on heightened vigilance in the southern Bastar region, particularly Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar and Narayanpur districts, where strong winds are expected, it said.
Relief camps have been directed to remain operational round-the-clock, with all essential facilities in place.
The health department has been asked to ensure uninterrupted medical services and prepare a list of pregnant women to facilitate their evacuation to safe locations, if required.
The government has also directed officials to issue detailed advisories to farmers and take steps to minimise potential damage to crops and livestock, it said.
Authorities have been asked to assess local conditions and make appropriate safety arrangements for schoolchildren and young children attending anganwadi centres, it said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been directed to remain fully prepared at designated locations, the statement said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Shammi Abidi said officials should assess the potential damage to kutcha houses due to strong winds and ensure the timely relocation of people from vulnerable areas to safer places.
The electricity department has been asked to prepare for damage caused by falling power poles, while alternative arrangements should be made to prevent disruptions in telecommunication services, it said.
Arrangements have also been directed for the immediate removal of trees that may fall due to strong winds to ensure roads remain clear and traffic movement is not disrupted, the release said.
(PTI News)
