Cyclone Biparjoy: 50 Hrs & Counting in Kutch for Mandaviya

First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi summoned Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandavia to the site of the Balasore train accident in Odisha on June 2 to oversee relief operations. He camped at the site for two days, coordinating the treatment of the wounded and the embalming and delivery of the bodies of the victims to their relatives.

Now, Mandaviya’s new workstation is Gujarat’s Kutch, where it has set up camp for more than 50 hours, working around the clock ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Biparjoy. He chaired a review meeting on cyclone preparedness with Gujarat’s health minister. They provided all possible assistance like oxygen, ventilators and other facilities to the cyclone victims. His presence ensured that both the state and the center worked in tandem.

Also read | Three Sleepless Nights, Two Restless Mornings: How Ashwini Vaishnau Led From the Front for Over 50 Hours

On Wednesday, Mandavia visited the military base in Bhuj and inspected the army’s preparations to face the imminent disaster. He also spoke to the jaws of the army there. He wrote on Twitter that the army is fully prepared to face the impact of the hurricane. It also assessed the preparations made by the GARUDA emergency response team to counteract the impact.

His next stop was the port of Kandla, where he met the evacuees before the cyclone hit the area and inquired about the facilities offered to them.

Mandaviya then spent a few hours in Kutch district hospital, trust-run hospitals and other private facilities. He inquired about the amount of critical care beds, and the availability of oxygen and ventilators. He also discussed with hospital administrations how to provide immediate medical services, if needed, in the post-hurricane period.

It didn’t stop here.

The Minister also took time to interact with the drivers of the 108 Emergency Ambulance Services in Kutch.

Mandaviya tweeted that under the direction of Prime Minister Modi, the center and state governments are working together and taking all possible measures to address the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. Bhagwan Mahavir Basho also visited Raksha Kendra at Mundra in Kutch. He assessed the situation there and assured the administration that all aid and relief materials would be made available to them.

Also read | Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE: 50,000 rushed to safety in Guj; Rajnath Singh speaks to three service chiefs

Mandaviya is still on his way to Mundra port and has assessed the situation. He tweeted again that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the center team and Gujarat state will ensure safety for all.

From the front, Prime Minister Modi also convened an emergency high-level meeting as soon as the news of Cyclone Pebargui came. The entire rescue and relief mechanism has been alerted, with the prime minister focusing on evacuations before disaster strikes and saving lives.

It is a reminder of how Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnau spent four days at the site of the Balasore accident.

This is a government with a human face.