Natural Disaster Preparedness


Flooding takes place in many districts of Orissa during July to October every year with wide variation of severity. In order to control and manage the probable loss of Livestock either by flood or due to epidemics, all the district SPCAs/ district administartions have been requested to make suitable plans and implement them for matters relating to Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Dogs, Pig and Poultry population.

a. Control room: The Control Room functioning at the District level (CDVO) has been strengthened with effect from 01.06.2007 for proper monitoring of Flood related activities. The telephone no. of the Control Room has been circulated widely throughout the District. The staff in charge of Control Room properly records in a register all the telephone calls received along with messages and actions taken thereof. Control room operates 24 hours with required roster arrangement.

b. Pre-flood Vaccination: During natural calamity, stress becomes an incriminating factor for precipitation of diseases in livestock and poultry. So, necessary vaccination of livestock and poultry are being done against economically important contagious disease. This will be helpful not only to check epidemic in animals, but also to reduce the probability of zoonoses in human beings. The eligible livestock and poultry population are immunised prior to monsoon season as per the vaccination calendar. Care is taken for mass vaccination of livestock and poultry with a view to covering 80% of livestock population in order to achieve herd immunity. Mass vaccination is conducted by a team of Department staff with proper maintenance of detailed Inoculation Register. Pro-active steps are taken to receive and stock the required doses of vaccines against different diseases for their use in face of Flood from the Directorate/ OBPI. A detail list of vaccines to be used for different species of animals & birds against contagious diseases is furnished below table. 

c. Stocking of Medicine: All Districts earmark an inventory of required medicines to treat the affected livestock and poultry in case of eventualities.The Govt. is taking steps to procure sufficient quantity of essential life saving medicines by dovetailing funds from SRC under CRF/ NCCF at this level.

d. Preparatory actions on Feed & Fodder (pre-flood): All Districts have been asked to re-locate their feed and fodder banks in view of submergence situation arising due to Flood. Sufficient care must be taken to sensitize the farmers to protect their feed and fodder much ahead of onset of monsoon. The sources for procurement of feed / rice bran (Kunda) within the district and nearest locations are identified, and the suppliers kept informed about the emergency situation, which might require action at their level for production and supply to the identified areas within the shortest possible time. The position on feed/ fodder is discussed with the District Collector for bringing to the notice of the SRC/ Directorate. Steps are also be taken to procure feed from OMFED/ other sources for distribution to different Flood affected areas with the approval of the SRC under CRF/ NCCF.

The livestock holders of small ruminants are educated/ informed to collect sufficient amount of green leaves from edible plants for use during the period of submergence at the earliest, after receipt of flood warning. The district authorities of Animal Husbandry Department chalk out a complete programme to cater the feed & fodder needs of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, dog, poultry birds etc.

e. Formation of Mobile Teams: A good no. of mobile clinic teams are planned for formation consisting dedicated and experienced technical workers with allotment of area of operation. The teams are kept in readiness having required stock of medicines and equipment to work in any adverse situation. A telephone directory is maintained at the District level by collecting the telephone nos. of Vets, Para-Vets, PRI members, NGOs / youth clubs / societies, volunteers etc. to collect feedback and plan the activities during the emergency. The District Collector has been asked to provide the required number of vehicles for the movement of mobile teams.

f. Preparation for shifting / evacuation of livestock: A careful study of the Districts co-relating the past incidences of Flood helps to identify the sensitive and highly sensitive areas, vulnerable to Flood having VDs and LACs. In such cases, essential medicines, vaccines and equipments like Cryocans are to be shifted to safer places much before the rush of Flood water and responsibilities for such action must be identified. Even the VDs and LACs coming under identified low lying areas with a past history of flooding should be instructed to evacuate their institutional belongings, mentioned earlier.

Preparatory meeting are organized in flood prone villages by the Gomitras/ LI/ AVAS/VAS to discuss the steps to be taken in this regard by the livestock keepers and others. The livestock holders of large animals, small animals and poultry are trained regarding shifting of animals/ birds before flooding. The farmers are instructed to let loose their animals instead of tieing much before flooding. For shifting of poultry birds to safer places, the farmer are educated to make suitable cages from bamboos.

g. Route Chart for relief distribution: A comprehensive route chart is prepared within the District keeping in mind the past incidences of flooding for transport of feed, medicine, vaccine etc. 

h. Contingency Fund: The CDVOs of highly flood prone District like Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Puri, Keonjhar & Khurda maintain a contingent fund to the tune of Rs. 20,000/- per district for vehicle hiring in emergency for transportation, carcass disposal, rescue and rehabilitation of marooned animals and birds.

i. Preparedness for proper reporting: Detailed reports relating to Flood mentioning loss of life, loss of infrastructure etc. as per the proforma prescribed are sent regularly. All the field staffs of the Govt. are oriented accordingly in this regard to avoid difficulty of reporting during the emergency.

 j. Staff Management for flood situation:During monsoon time, no staff should normally be allowed to proceed on leave. All the staff must be sensitized and trained perfectly to manage Flood situations successfully. One day training programme for management of different species of animals and birds during flood should be organized at the district level for capacity building of departmental staff.

k. Rescue of livestock during flood: Much before the rush of flood water to flood prone areas, the livestock holders of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig etc are educated/ informed to let loose their domesticated animals and birds instead tieing/ caging at a particular point. Necessary arrangements are made in consultation with the District Collector for provision of life saving boats for rescue of marooned animals, transportation of feed, medicine and vaccine. In case of any untoward situation, the matter is brought to the notice of BDO/ Tahasildars/ Sub Collectors/ District Collectors seeking immediate assistance by the LI/ VAS/ AVAS/ SDVO/ CDVO. Sincere efforts is made in this regard to save the lives of the livestock and poultry. The small ruminants like sheep and goat are carefully shifted to temporary sheds located in higher elevations. Similarly, the poultry birds are shifted with the help of bamboo cages to temporary pen.

l. Shelter of the livestock during flood: Temporary sheds are arranged with the help of District Collectors/ NGOs/ SPCA/ Animal Welfare Organizations working on disaster management for housing of destitute animals. Separate arrangements are made to house cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig and poultry in order to maintain peck order and to avoid unnecessary competition for survival. Planning for these activities should take place on a regular basis every year prior to flood season at village level.

m. Provision/ distribution of Feed & Fodder during flood: During Flood, the affected livestock and poultry are fed with feed and fodder either from the established bank stated earlier or from the relief source. In order to bring down the losses of lives arising due to non-availability of feed, a proper distribution schedule is prepared and followed as per the need of the situation. Much attention is paid for proper and timely distribution of feed and fodder to the needy animals. Sufficient amount of fodder and green leaves are arranged for feeding sheep and goat. The backyard poultry birds are supplemented with crushed maize, rice bran & wheat bran. The stray dogs are to be fed with bread and biscuits. A good coordination with block relief team is solicited for transport of animal and poultry feeds along with relief material of revenue department. The distribution of animal and poultry feed is made preferably with the help of veterinary staff.

m. Arrangement for drinking water for animals: All the affected livestock and poultry should have an access to clean drinking water. Arrangements are required to be made in this regard with the help of concerned Government functionaries of the Districts. The available water may be chlorinated if required with help of Halogen Tablet prior to drinking by livestock and poultry.

n. Maintenance of Sanitation: Adequate attention is to be paid to disinfect the premises of temporary sheds with the help of bleaching powder, phenol, carbolic acid etc. In no case the carcass/ cadaver should come in contact with healthy animals rehabilitated in sheds. Arrangements should be made accordingly.

o. De-worming after the flood: Immediately after flood, the animals like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, dog and poultry need to be de-wormed with suitable broad spectrum anthelmentics. This will enable the animals to regain proper health.

p. Treatment of sick animals: The affected injured / sick animals and birds are to be treated as immediately as possible as per the requirement. The existing inventory of medicines is to be utilised.

q. Touring the Flooded Area: The mobile clinic team visit regularly the Flood affected areas to treat the sick animals and birds. In case of severity of situation, temporary camps may be made to bring relief to the sick animals.

r. Disposal of Carcass: As per the Orissa Relief Code, the disposal of dead animals and birds are to be done by Animal Husbandry Department. Accordingly, necessary arrangement should be made for prompt and easy disposal of carcasses during the Flood and Post-Flood period.

s. Health Camp after the flood: Health camps are to be organised in Flood affected areas to restore the normal breeding capability of breedable population as well as to restore the normal health of livestock and poultry.

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