Bhubaneswar, Oct. 23: As severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ continued
to muster strength over the Bay of Bengal while steadily moving
towards the Odisha coast, broadcasters at the SOA Community Radio
90.4 were busy keeping the people informed about the approaching
danger.
“When calamity looms, our job is to keep the people alert to the
danger and advise them as to what they should or shouldn’t do,” Ms.
Honey Pattnaik, In-charge of the Community Radio Centre, said.
The Community Radio Centre, run by Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan
Deemed to be University here, has been playing a critical role in raising
awareness in the face of natural calamities. The station had worked
round the clock providing information to the people when cyclonic
storm ‘Fani’ hit Odisha on May 3, 2019, she recalled.
With the cyclone expected to hit the Odisha coast on Thursday
night, RJs at the radio station kept alerting people with the required
information which included weather updates, necessary warnings and
emergency instructions. “We advise people not to panic,” she said.
The instructions mainly pertained to the need for storing
essentials like food, enough drinking water, medicines, flash lights,
batteries and first aid material, Ms. Pattnaik said.
SOA Community Radio uses the social media platforms like
YouTube, X, Facebook and Instagram to keep in touch with the masses.
“We inform people about even mundane details like staying
indoors, keeping away from glass doors and windows and evacuate if
advised by the local administration,” she said.
Besides, it was necessary to keep the mobile phones and power
banks fully charged as there was possibility of power outages. Another
need was to switch off gas connection and electricity in case of flooding
or strong winds.
“The RJs urge people not to ignore official warnings and also stay
careful about fake messages. We tell the people that every information
they receive should be verified from reliable sources,” she said.
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