Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has deputed eight ministers to eight districts for overseeing preparedness and ensuring effective disaster management in view of the impending Cyclone Arnab.
The chief minister has directed the two Deputy CMs and six ministers to remain in their respective districts from October 27 to 29 to monitor preparations and coordinate response measures.
Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has been assigned Koraput district, while the other Deputy CM Pravati Parida will oversee arrangements in Rayagada.
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has been assigned Kandhamal, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena will oversee Ganjam, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra will be in Nabarangpur, and School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond in Malkangiri.
Kalahandi district will be under the watch of Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, while Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj will oversee cyclone preparedness in Gajapati district.
Cyclone Arnab is likely to make landfall between southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh on October 28. However, the Andhra Pradesh coast has a higher probability of being impacted, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The southern Odisha districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds. The other coastal districts may also see rainfall.