Odisha CM Directs Intensified Rescue Operations in Landslide-Hit Areas, Seeks Railway Assistance .

Bhubaneswar,31/10(PPT): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to intensify rescue operations in landslide-affected areas of Odisha, expedite the search for missing persons and deploy advanced technology to trace those feared trapped beneath debris following Cyclone Arnab. Reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office on Saturday, the Chief Minister stressed that saving lives must remain the government’s foremost priority. He called for the deployment of modern equipment and technical expertise to strengthen the ongoing operations. In a move to facilitate evacuation from difficult terrain, the State Government sought assistance from the Railways to deploy a chain-pulley system. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari discussed the matter with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who assured necessary support, while the East Coast Railway initiated steps to dispatch the equipment. An advanced Seismic Life Detection Unit used by the Indian Navy is also being airlifted by helicopter to G. Udayagiri to help locate survivors beneath soil, mud and debris. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, Fire Services and Special Operations Group are jointly engaged in the rescue effort. Majhi further directed officials to restore electricity, road connectivity and other essential services on a priority basis. Reviewing preparedness for future cyclonic threats, he instructed departments to keep cyclone shelters ready, evacuate people from vulnerable areas in advance and maintain adequate stocks of food, drinking water and medicines. He also emphasised coordination among departments and asked officials to provide the media with timely, accurate information while promptly verifying reports to prevent the spread of misinformation. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, senior officials of the Revenue and Energy departments, Fire Services Director General Sudhanshu Sarangi, Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and other officials.
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