Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25: With Cyclone Dana looming over Odisha, the stakes were high, and the threat of severe loss of life and property was imminent. Yet, under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the Odisha government was resolute in its commitment to confront the disaster head-on, aiming for a “Zero Casualty” outcome.

On October 21, upon receiving the cyclone forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chief Minister Majhi quickly mobilized the state’s disaster management machinery. He convened an emergency meeting, attended by ministers and key officials, to establish a comprehensive plan for relief, rescue, and post-cyclone recovery operations. All leave for government employees was cancelled, and reinforcements were mobilized. This included National Disaster Rapid Action Force (NDRF) teams from Punjab, along with Odisha’s own Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services, and a significant number of volunteers.

To safeguard the most vulnerable populations, including elderly residents, children, and pregnant women, the government evacuated over 584,000 people to 8,322 cyclone shelters under the supervision of trained healthcare workers. This strategic approach allowed for the safe delivery of more than 1,600 babies in specially designated maternal care units, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the state.

Majhi took a hands-on approach, overseeing operations on the ground throughout Thursday night and surprising many by arriving early Friday morning at the state secretariat to review the ongoing relief efforts. Nine ministers, including Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, and six senior bureaucrats were dispatched to the affected districts to lead ground-level operations.

At a Friday press briefing, Chief Minister Majhi expressed his gratitude to colleagues, officials, rescue teams, and media personnel for their dedication in minimizing the impact of Cyclone Dana. He attributed the success to both divine protection and the state’s coordinated, swift response. “By the grace of Lord Jagannath, Cyclone Dana could not inflict significant damage,” Majhi said, crediting the dedicated efforts of NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services, healthcare workers, and various government departments.

As recovery efforts began, Majhi instructed district collectors to assess damages to crops and homes quickly so that a compensation package could be prepared. “We’ve directed district collectors to submit their reports without delay. Once received, we’ll finalize the compensation package,” he assured. Efforts to clear uprooted trees and restore power were well underway, with full restoration anticipated by evening.

Odisha’s response to Cyclone Dana stands as a testament to the state’s resilience and unity. The achievement of the “Zero Casualty” mission reflects the strength and solidarity of its people and leadership. In acknowledgment of these efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to CM Majhi, commending Odisha’s preparedness and efficient response to the disaster.

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