Bhubaneswar: With another cyclone approaching the coast, the Odisha government on Sunday stepped up its preparedness and launched evacuation of people from vulnerable areas.
Cyclonic storm Murasu, which formed over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on November 2. Continuing to move west-northwestwards, it is likely to cross south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting 120kmph between Nellore and Narsapur by morning of November 3.
In view of the approaching cyclone, special precautions are being taken by the Odisha government particularly in Gajapati district, where around 150 landslide-prone locations have been identified.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, said evacuation from vulnerable areas has already begun. People living in settlements at risk of landslides are being shifted temporarily to safer locations, considering the possibility of landslides due to loose and saturated soil.
Sharing details of the shifting plan, Patil said instructions have been issued to complete the evacuation process in all identified vulnerable locations by Monday afternoon.
Along with the earlier evacuation measures, the administration is taking extra precautions because the ground is wet and the risk of landslides has increased, the SRC said.
While around 150 vulnerable locations have been identified in Gajapati district, people living in nearby habitations facing potential risks will also be temporarily relocated to safer places to prevent any untoward incidents, he said.
The SRC also said that additional relief materials would be stocked to meet any emergency requirements.
Under the influence of the cyclone, several parts of Odisha, particularly the southern districts, are likely to be lashed by heavy to very heavy rain. On November 2-3, the IMD has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall over the districts of Ganjam and Gajapati.
On November 3-4, an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall has been sounded for the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Yellow warning has been issued for Khordha, Puri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nayagada.
On November 4-5, an orange warning has been issued in Gajapati, Gajnam, Rayagada and Malkangiri districts.
The IMD has also issued wind warnings for the coming days. Wind speeds are expected to increase gradually, with gusts reaching higher levels. The sea is also expected to remain very rough over several parts of the Bay of Bengal.
In view of the weather conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into south-east Bay of Bengal and south-west Bay of Bengal from November 2 to 3.
