Cyclone-Covid tango puts admns on edge

BHUBANESWAR: The cyclonic storm amid the Covid-19 pandemic has put officials in the coastal and adjoining districts on toes as evacuating people by adhering to Covid norms is the biggest challenge for the local administrations.
Officials working on the ground are facing tough time in tackling the cyclonic storm along with handling Covid-19-related activities.
OAS officer Rajendra Narayan Kar, who is the block development officer (BDO) of Bahanaga block and also in-charge as Bahanaga tehsildar, said Covid has posed a big challenge in the evacuation process. “We have evacuated over 10,000 people from low-lying and vulnerable areas to the shelters by adhering to all Covid norms. We faced some difficulties in persuading people to shift to the cyclone shelters but now many have spontaneously come to the shelters,” said Kar.
He said shifting Covid positive patients, who were in home isolation, was the biggest challenge for the local administration. “There are around 420 Covid positive cases in our block of which around 95 were in home isolation. We have shifted most of them to a separate shelter with all arrangements,” Kar added.
Bhadrak collector Gyana Das said facing a cyclone amid Covid-19 is naturally a big challenge. “Since safety of people is our topmost priority, we have been following Covid norms during the evacuation process. People are being screened at the shelters and those with symptoms are being kept separately. All arrangements are being made keeping in mind safety of people,” said Das.
Bhadrak and Balasore districts are expected to be the worst affected by the cyclonic storm. On Tuesday, minister of state (home), Dibya Sankar Mishra reached Balasore as directed by the chief minister to supervise the evacuation, relief and restoration work in view of Cyclone Yaas.
The minister chaired a meeting with senior officials of the district and other MLAs to review the preparedness. “The administration is fully prepared to tackle the situation. Saving life is precious for us. We are emphasizing on evacuating people to safety. Over 1200 cyclone shelters have been identified by district administration and we are making sure none should be staying in any kutcha house. In the post-cyclone period, we will focus on restoration,” said Mishra.
The government on Tuesday deputed IAS officers — Sashadhara Nayak and Bikash Chandra Mohapatra — in Kendrapada district to help the administration in smooth management of relief, rehabilitation and restoration works in view of cyclone Yaas. Both the officers were asked to proceed to the district immediately. TNN
Inspired By