Bhubaneswar: The state government has asked all district administrations to maintain round-the-clock vigilance in view of the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal (BoB).

As per the IMD prediction, the deep depression over the BoB may trigger heavy rainfall in several districts of the state, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deograh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir till July 30.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday chaired a high-level preparatory-cum-review meeting at the Lok Seva Bhawan in the capital city here to assess the state government’s preparedness to deal with the situation.

Reviewing the preparedness of each district individually, the minister directed all district administrations to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and ensure prompt response to any eventuality.  

Stressing that protection of human life remains the state government's foremost priority, he instructed officials to ensure timely evacuation of vulnerable people, wherever required, and make adequate arrangements for cooked food, dry ration, drinking water, shelter and other essential relief measures.    

The minister also emphasized close coordination among all emergency response departments to facilitate swift and effective response on the ground.

Collectors, BDOs and senior officials of several districts joined the meeting through videoconferencing and apprised the minister of the preparedness measures undertaken in their respective districts. Pujari directed all district administrations to remain in constant touch with field-level officials and closely monitor vulnerable locations to ensure that any emerging situation is addressed without delay.

“Since July 1, Odisha has received 517.6 mm cumulative rainfall, which is 75.7 per cent above the seasonal average,” said the state government.