Cyclone Phailin: Army mobilises aid for Odisha

LUCKNOW: The Army on Saturday mobilised an engineering column comprising medical and signal entities from Bhubaneswar to Gopalpur in Ganjam district, to be the landfall area of the Cyclone Phailin in Odisha. Additional engineering columns and signal columns are also expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar and adjoining coastal areas from various units of Army's Eastern and Central Commands.
The overall rescue and relief operations are being coordinated by GOC Madhya Bharat, Lieutenant General Ramesh Rana, who held various high level meetings with Odisha chief minister, chief secretary and relief commissioner, among others, earlier in the day.
Lt Gen Rana said, "The army will synergise efforts of NDRF, ODRAF and work in cooperation with them. While some columns are already moving, other columns from the Eastern and Central Commands are on standby." The task for the army includes evacuating people from affected areas in the aftermath of the cyclone, opening physical lines of communication including roads, telephone lines, electricity and water supply. The army will also be meeting some of the medical requirements and supply of relief materials. It will also work in support of the state forces to ensure minimum loss of life and property.