CM for a master plan for comprehensive disaster management

Hyderabad|India|May'2010: Well done. You have done an excellent job. The people in general and the Central leaders in particular appreciated the precautionary measures taken by the State Government to meet the likely devastations following the Cyclonic storm "Laila" hitting the Andhra Coast". You have once again upheld the reputation of Andhra Pradesh as a role model in handling natural calamities, the Chief Minister told the Chief Secretary and other senior officials.

The Chief Minister also lauded the Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation Sri Dharmana Prasada Rao and all the Ministers involved in the relief operations/supervision. He also hailed the Commissioner, Disaster Management and Special Commissioner who is in charge of the Laila cyclone rescue and relief operations for their timely intervention. The Andhra Pradesh Government plans to further strengthen the disaster management machinery in the State to galvanise the administration to face any challenges like cyclones, floods and droughts.

While reviewing the overall performance of the entire administrative machinery during the Laila Cyclone at Secretariat today the Chief Minister directed the officials of disaster management to prepare a master plan with a plan of action for immediate evacuation, rescue and relief operations to face challenges at times of floods, cyclones and epidemics.

The Chief Minister said we should manage natural disasters by bringing new emphasis to research, preparedness, response, and recovery. A Comprehensive disaster management Master Plan will be prepared with a mission of building a safer and disaster resilient Andhra Pradesh by developing a holistic, pro-active, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management through collective efforts of Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Dr.Rosaiah had a word of praise for the relentless efforts of the Chief Secretary in foreseeing the cyclonic effects, timely alerting the District Collectors and other officials concerned, nominating experienced senior IAS officers as Special Officers for the affected districts, dispatching them and other essential teams well in advance, stocking medicines, food packets, safe and pure drinking water in sufficient quantities, creating awareness among the people of the impending danger in the coastal districts and evacuating people well in advance with utmost caution.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt.Sonia Gandhi appreciated for the timely and precautionary measures taken up by the State Government in protecting the lives and properties of people and the cattle in the affected districts. The Chief Minister said even the Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, P.Chidambaram, A.K.Antony and Veerappa Moily called during these days and while assuring all assistance to the State Government, hailed the proactive steps taken by the State Government.

The Chief Minister mentioned that yesterday itself Governor H.E. E.S.L.Narasimhan appreciated administrative machinery for its prompt action and timely measures.

‘My special thanks to all district collectors who raised to the occasion and constantly monitored the evacuation operations which alone resulted in reducing human loss when the cyclone Laila hit the coast near Bapatla', he said. Dr. Rosaiah also thanked the leaders of all opposition parties, i.e., TDP, TRS, CPI, CPM, BJP, Lok Satta, MIM etc., for their constructive suggestions and whole hearted support to the government in the hour of need to address the grievances of the people affected by cyclone.

Chief Minister also praised Media for their proactive and timely measures which sensitised the public. Evacuation was smooth as public were made to understand the gravity of the situation by the Media. "The timely steps taken by the State administration created confidence among the affected people. Even the army, navy and air force were alerted and kept ready to swing into rescue and relief operations if needed", he said.

It is pertinent to note that Diviseema Cyclone in 1977 has costed us 10,000 human lives, cyclone and floods in 1979 costed us 7,076 lives and a cyclone in 1996 has taken 1077 lives. This time we could limit the death toll to 23 is indeed a commendable job, which was made possible because of collective team work.

The Chief Minister suggested the officials to take up each and every cyclone as a case study for future action. He said natural calamities are a common happening on the Andhra coast but at the same time it is our bounden duty to save lives which are very precious. Chief Minister said nothing is impossible if you have the will to do and make full utilisation of the advances in technology to address the challenges of natural calamities.

The Chief Minister hoped, now that the worst is over, it is time for all the officials, departments, agencies and Civil Society to come together and provide the much needed relief to the affected people. He assured that the State Government will leave no stone unturned in providing the maximum possible assistance to the affected people and bringing back normalcy in the areas. Dr Rosaiah once again thanked everyone concerned for the cooperation they have extended during the last few days in the relief operations.

-May' 2010