Chatrapur, May 29, 2025:
With the monsoon season on the horizon, the District-Level Natural Calamities Committee (DLNCC) convened a crucial preparedness meeting today at the Zilla Parishad Conference Hall in Chatrapur. The high-level review, chaired by Hon’ble Minister Sri Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, aimed to assess the district’s disaster management strategy and fine-tune interdepartmental coordination in the face of potential natural calamities.
The meeting brought together a formidable line-up of public representatives, including Members of Parliament Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, MP-Berhampur and Smt. Anita Subhadarshini, MP-Aska, as well as MLAs from across the district—Mr. Purna Chandra Sethy, MLA-Khallikote, Mr. Sidhant Mohapatra, MLA-Digapahandi, Mr. Pratap Chandra Nayak, MLA-Kabisuryanagar, Mr. Nilamani Bisoyi, MLA-Surada, Mr. Manoranjan Samantaray, MLA-Chikiti, and Mr. Krushna Chandra Nayak MLA-Chatrapur.
Senior officials including the Collector-Ganjam, ADM, Sub-Collector Berhampur, BeMC Commissioner, DIPRO, ASO other officials from the Irrigation, Roads & Buildings (R&B) departments were present to brief on departmental readiness and infrastructure status.
Key Priorities Discussed:
Reinforcement of Embankments and Flood Protection Measures
The committee reviewed the status of embankment repairs and the closure of breaches from previous years. Vulnerable spots along rivers and canals were identified for urgent reinforcement, with instructions issued for round-the-clock monitoring in high-risk areas.
Drainage and Urban Flood Management
Special emphasis was placed on pre-monsoon cleaning of drains, especially in urban and low-lying pockets prone to waterlogging. Officials were directed to expedite desilting operations to ensure unobstructed flow of stormwater.
Prepositioning of Relief Supplies
Logistics for the pre-stocking of essential commodities, including food grains and emergency supplies, were assessed to ensure timely distribution during flood or cyclone events. Interior and disaster-prone areas were marked for priority action.
Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, while addressing, underlined the importance of “early preparedness, institutional synergy, and community engagement” in disaster mitigation. He called for seamless coordination between administrative and technical wings, urging departments to remain on high alert and fully equipped to respond swiftly to emergencies.
“This is not just an administrative obligation—it is a collective duty to safeguard every life in Ganjam,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous commitment to enhance preparedness, strengthen early warning systems, and ensure the district remains resilient and responsive in the face of any natural disaster.
