Whenever the country faces a crisis, whether it be a natural calamity or another form of disaster, the Swayamsevaks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) always lead relief efforts. During the recent Cyclone Dana in Odisha, RSS Swayamsevaks once again stepped up to assist those affected, working closely with the administration to manage the aftermath of the disaster.
The RSS swayamsevaks, in coordination with Seva Bharati and Utkal Vipanna Sahayata Samiti, conducted extensive relief operations in the cyclone-affected areas. Sumant Kumar Panda, the Prachar Pramukh of RSS’s Odisha Purva Prant, provided detailed information about the relief work.
Comprehensive Relief Efforts in Affected Regions
Panda explained that relief operations were concentrated in several heavily impacted areas, including Paradip in Jagatsinghpur District, Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Rajkanika in Kendrapara District, and Chandbali in Bhadrak District. Swayamsevaks distributed dry food and cleared roads and homes of fallen trees. In addition to rescue operations in flood-hit regions, cleanliness drives were conducted by Swayamsevaks in various localities to restore normalcy.
In the severely affected districts of Bhadrak and Kendrapara, around 482 Swayamsevaks were actively engaged in relief work. Panda emphasised that as soon as the cyclone’s landfall on Odisha’s coast was anticipated, Swayamsevaks sprang into action.
Preemptive Measures and Relief Coordination
Anticipating the cyclone’s impact, 169 teams were formed across 11 districts, deploying over 2,044 Swayamsevaks ready to handle relief operations. The preparations included mobilising 12 teams with 170 Swayamsevaks in Kendrapara, 11 teams with 312 Swayamsevaks in Bhadrak, 43 teams with 425 Swayamsevaks in Balasore, 9 teams with 92 Swayamsevaks in Jagatsinghpur, 16 teams with 70 Swayamsevaks in Bhubaneswar, 13 teams with 215 Swayamsevaks in Khordha, 15 teams with 105 Swayamsevaks in Puri, 18 teams with 159 Swayamsevaks in Kendujhar, 14 teams with 108 Swayamsevaks in Rairangpur, 16 teams with 156 Swayamsevaks in Mayurbhanj, 1 team with 14 Swayamsevaks in Ganjam, and 13 teams with 232 Swayamsevaks in Jajpur. All teams were kept on high alert for immediate response.
Assistance to Administration and Evacuation Efforts
Before the cyclone’s landfall, Swayamsevaks proactively coordinated with the local administration, raising awareness among communities about the approaching danger. In the districts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak, they worked tirelessly to evacuate residents from low-lying areas and unsafe structures to cyclone shelters, ensuring their safety. The Swayamsevaks played a crucial role in assisting the administration in managing this critical evacuation process.
During and after the cyclone, the Swayamsevaks distributed dry food, clean drinking water, and essential medicines to those sheltering in relief centres. The relentless service of RSS Swayamsevaks has once again highlighted their commitment to society during times of crisis.
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