Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday chaired a meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center to assess the administrative measures in place to prepare for Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat.
During the review meeting, Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey informed the Chief Minister about the state government's preparations to safeguard lives amidst the approaching storm.
Over 47,000 people have been relocated to secure locations in eight districts, with ongoing evacuation efforts are expected to be completed by Wednesday evening.
During the review meeting, senior principal secretaries, secretaries, and officials, including additional chief secretaries from the revenue and health departments, provided the Chief Minister with comprehensive reports on the preparations by their departments.
Figures were shared, indicating the evacuation of 4,462 people in Junagadh district, 17,739 in Kutch, 8,542 in Jamnagar, 3,469 in Porbandar, 4,863 in Devbhoomi Dwarka, 1,605 in Gir Somnath, 1,936 in Morbi, and 4,497 in Rajkot, totaling 47,113 individuals.
Overall preparedness
Highlighting the preparedness, the Relief Commissioner mentioned the deployment of 18 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 12 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across the districts expected to be impacted by the cyclone.
The NDRF teams are stationed in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Morbi, and Valsad.
Similarly, the SDRF teams are stationed in Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Patan, and Banaskantha, with a reserve team positioned in Surat.
As a precautionary measure, more than 4,000 hoardings have been dismantled in these districts. Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) has mobilized 597 teams to restore power supply after the cyclone, with an adequate stock of wire-poles available at sub-stations.
Additional teams from unaffected districts are also on standby to ensure prompt power restoration in the potentially affected areas.
Providing meteorological insights, Regional Director of the Central Meteorological Department, Mohanty highlighted the possibility of rainfall in districts like Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Patan in North Gujarat on June 15.
Chief Secretary Rajkumar instructed the collectors offices in the these districts to make the necessary preparations.
Shelter homes
To ensure the well-being of evacuees, shelter homes have been established in government schools and offices across the coastal districts, equipped with food, beverages and medication.
Ample medical staff, along with necessary supplies and medicines, are available at nearby health centers, government hospitals, and private healthcare facilities. Generator sets and critical health services are also on standby.
Constant communication
As part of contingency planning, satellite phones and ham radio services have been made available to address potential communication disruptions caused by heavy rains or storms. Mobile service operators have been instructed to maintain operational alternative towers as a precautionary measure.
Pandey emphasized that the state government is in constant communication to provide immediate assistance to district administrations for rescue operations.
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