Cyclone Asani: 140 Slums To Be Evacuated In Bhubaneswar, 21 Shelter Homes Readied In Berhampur

Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: With Cyclone Asani likely to trigger widespread rain along with heavy spells at isolated areas in Odisha, the Municipal Corporations of Bhubaneswar and Berhampur have set up control rooms and identified shelter homes to shift people from low-lying areas and slums.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has identified 72 temporary cyclone shelters to shift people from 140 slums in the city, while Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has kept 21 shelter homes ready in case of cyclone.

As per the IMD, the capital city is likely to experience wind speed gusting up to 40 to 50 kmph as the cyclone is likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards Northwest Bay of Bengal parallel to the coast, sparing Odisha.

Under its impact heavy rain is likely to occur on Tuesday and Wednesday in Khurda and Ganjam districts. As Bhubaneswar has been facing waterlogging issues during rains, 31 vulnerable points have been identified where 15 high-power pumps have been kept ready and BMC workers and excavators, tractors and tree cutters will be kept on standby, said a BMC official.

Teams to cut trees or prune branches to clear roads, at waterlogging points to drain stagnant storm water besides three excavators.

In Berhampur, BeMC authorities have alerted sanitary workers and road construction engineers to take up restoration works immediately after the probable cyclone.

Also Read: Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani To Trigger Widespread Rain Along Odisha Coast, Bring Down Temp By 3-4ºC