All India Radio in Cuttack. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 6: The Orissa government is planning to take the services of the All India Radio (AIR) to disseminate news during the rainy season.

Revenue minister Surjya Naryana Patro said: “We have requested the AIR to air special bulletins on flood situation during prime time. They have agreed to our proposal. The purpose is to alert villagers about the flood situation to minimise the damage.”

AIR, Cuttack station director Dr. Sudha Mishra said: “We are planning to air flood related news. We have already initiated a discussion with our technical people on the issue. News can be disseminated to remote and inaccessible parts of the state on radio.”

Sudha also cited the example how the AIR had played a role during abduction of the former Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna. “Our team had accurately aired the news of the understanding between the government and the interlocutors which facilitated release of the collector,” said Mishra.

She said the news on everyday flood situation would be aired on the radio both in the morning and in the evening in a special package form. “The programme is likely to commence from July and will continue till mid-October,” said a senior government official.

Moreover, the government has asked officials of all departments and the district collectors to coordinate with the AIR.

The government has also requested the BSNL to upgrade its infrastructure in the remote parts of the state, so that the mobile service could be accessed. “We will activate and use SMS services for sending flood related news. The BSNL has a wide network in the state and the government wants to take its benefit,” officials said.

The Orissa government has also asked other related departments, including health, water resources, panchayati raj and other departments, to chalk out their plans by June 15, so that a coordinated effort be made to tackle the situation arising out of floods.

“We have asked the water resources department to repair all embankments before the Monsoon. The health departments have been asked to keep all medicines at the hospitals at the panchayat-level,” said officials.