Koraput: With IMD issuing an orange warning for Wednesday and red warnings for Thursday and Friday, Nabarangpur district administration has stepped up preparedness to deal with possible heavy rain and other weather-related emergencies.District collector Maheswar Swain on Tuesday reviewed preparedness measures with district-level officers, tehsildars and BDOs through a virtual meeting and directed officials to remain alert at their respective headquarters.Keeping the forecast of adverse weather in mind, all departments have been asked to remain fully prepared and ensure that essential services are not disrupted. The safety of people, particularly students, will remain the priority, Swain said.While the leave of all district-level officers, tehsildars and BDOs has been cancelled and they have been directed not to leave their headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority, officials have been directed to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities such as rice and flattened rice (chuda) at panchayat and block levels so that there is no shortage during an emergency.Municipal authorities have been directed to undertake desilting of drains to facilitate smooth discharge of rainwater and minimise waterlogging and the possibility of flash floods.The fire services personnel have been kept on high alert to clear roads in case of fallen trees or blockages caused by heavy rain. Tata Power officials have been asked to keep adequate manpower and equipment ready for quick restoration of power supply in the event of disruptions, the collector said.According to the collector, in Indravati barrage area, local authorities have launched awareness drives, asking fishermen and residents not to venture into the river in country boats for fishing or other activities in view of the prevailing weather conditions. BDOs and tehsildars have been tasked with supervising the awareness campaign.As a precautionary measure and keeping student safety in mind, all educational institutions in the district will remain closed on Sept 23 and 24 after completion of examinations.The district- and block-level control rooms will remain operational round the clock to receive information from the public, coordinate immediate response and provide necessary assistance during emergencies.The district administration has urged people to remain alert and follow official advisories and instructions issued by the administration and concerned departments during the period of adverse weather.
