Bhubaneswar: Amid a heavy rainfall warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Monday reviewed the Health Department’s preparedness and directed officials to ensure uninterrupted essential healthcare services across the state.

The minister reviewed arrangements for emergency healthcare services, availability of medicines and essential medical supplies, ambulance services, and the preparedness of hospitals to deal with any situation arising from prolonged rainfall.

Mahaling directed officials to remain alert and work in close coordination to ensure that healthcare services are not disrupted. He stressed the need to ensure immediate access to emergency medical services in areas affected by heavy rainfall and adequate preparedness and resources at hospitals.

He said the state government was fully committed to ensuring the safety of the people and maintaining essential healthcare services during such situations.

The minister also appealed to people not to panic over the possibility of heavy rainfall but to remain cautious and follow advisories and instructions issued by the administration.

Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S, Director of Public Health Dr Rabindra Nath Mishra, Director of Health Services Mahesh Mohan Panda, DMET Dr Durga Madhab Satapathy, chief district medical officers from all districts, and deans and principals of medical colleges attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the IMD has said a weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast around the morning of September 23.

The Met department has also issued yellow and orange warnings for several districts of Odisha.