By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Odisha Fire and Emergency Services is carrying out extensive rescue and relief operations under ‘Operation Mukabila’ to combat Cyclone Arnab. A total of 228 teams have been deployed across the state to expedite public safety, and various rescue equipment including 1,510 power chain saws, 252 tower lights, 231 power boats, 225 towing tender vehicles, 135 de-watering pumps, 25 rescue tenders and 12 plasma cutters have been deployed to rescue people in flood-affected areas or in areas where trees have been uprooted by wind.
According to the Meteorological Department, the impact of the cyclone has been felt in various districts of Odisha since yesterday. From yesterday till 9 pm tonight, tree cutting and road cleaning work has been successfully completed in a total of 524 places in various affected areas of the state. Among the most affected districts, 261 were in Berhampur, 111 in Gajapati, 55 in Chhatrapur, 27 in Phulbani, 24 in Bhubaneswar, 14 in Koraput, 11 in Rayagada, 6 each in Malkangiri and Kalahandi, 4 in Nabarangpur and 5 in Cuttack. The situation has been normalized after tree cutting at places.
In addition, water has been drained from a total of 28 locations, especially in the lower reaches of Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar, to remove water from areas that were inundated due to heavy rains. Similarly, a total of 22 animals that were in danger due to the impact of the cyclone in Chhatrapur, Phulbani and Koraput areas have been safely evacuated.
To successfully deal with Cyclone Arnab and to effectively manage emergency services, firefighters from three command centres in the Northern Range, Southern Range and Central Range are continuously monitoring the entire situation in direct coordination with the State Command Centre in Bhubaneswar. In addition, our senior officers are continuously present at the scene and are closely monitoring the rescue and recovery operations.
