Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 : Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena on Wednesday advised officials to undertake massive palm tree plantation drive to prevent lightning deaths.
Presiding over the State Executive Committee (SEC) of Disaster management ,the Chief Secretary advised the Departments of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment , Forest, Environement & Climate Change to take up more and more Palm tree plantations in all areas, basically in areas prone to lightning.
He said Odisha State Disaster Management Athority (OSDMA) has placed a non-structural Lightning mitigation proposal for implementation of Lightning alert / forecast system in collaboration with Earth Network and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune for three years – – 2023-24 to 2025-26.
OSDMA has also given a Rs 13,21,200 proposal for implementation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Ready (IOTR) Programmes in 24 identified Tsunami prone Villages of 6 Coastal districts for obtaining the Tsunami Ready Certification from IOC-UNESCO .
OSDMA has also given proposal for organizing an Orientation Programme on Tsunami for key stakeholders of the Tsunami Prone Urban Local Bodies of Puri, Konark, Gopalpur and Paradip.
This year, OSDMA will organize Disaster Preparedness day on October 29. A Mini Marathan will be organised in collaboration with Sports and Youth Services Department to create mass awareness among general public on disaster management.
Jena emphasized on procurement of Search & Rescue Equipment, accessories and Vehicles for Odisha Fire & Emergency Services .
The Home Department has been requested to go ahead with the procurement process.
The Chief Secretary also emphasised on densification of Mangroves as effective natural safeguards against cyclones.
