Cyclone ‘Dana’: Odisha SRC Issues Advisory To Collectors; Govt Cancels Leave Of Its Staff

Bhubaneswar: In view of threat to Odisha from cyclone ‘Dana’, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Deo Ranjan Singh has issued an advisory to district collectors to ensure zero casualty.

Speaking to the media after a review meeting chaired by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja on the cyclone, Singh said the district collectors have been told to shift the people from vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters. The pregnant women, who are expected for delivery in a week, would be admitted to the hospitals, he said.

The SRC also appealed to the fishermen not to venture into sea off Odisha Coast and adjoining North Bay of Bengal from October 21 to 26, and asked those in deep sea to come back before the cyclone hits the Odisha coast.

The collectors have been told to take the following steps as per advisory:

• Districts under Red, Orange and Yellow warning to remain in readiness to meet any eventuality, particularly for water logging and landslide.
• Keep vigil on low-lying areas and take steps for dewatering.
• Avoid movement in affected areas and ensure stay in safe place.
• Postpone fertilizer/chemicals application in agricultural field and keep livestock in safe place.
• Operate control room on 24×7 basis.
• Cyclone shelters are to be kept in readiness. Ensure provision of drinking water during and lighting arrangement.
• Evacuation plan of vulnerable people to be in readiness.
• To hold meeting tomorrow morning and send their requirements about deployment of ODRAF, Fire and NDRF units.

Meanwhile, the state government has cancelled the leave of its officials from Sunday evening and directed them to remain in their areas of posting until further orders. The collectors have been told to announce closure of educational institutions depending on the situation.

Earlier, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government was fully prepared to deal with the situation.

Stating that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of the people, he said the government has started taking steps in advance to reduce the impact of the possible cyclone.

Also Read: Odisha Govt Fully Prepared To Deal With Cyclone ‘Dana’, People Should Not Panic: Minister

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director-General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier in the day said Odisha is likely to bear the brunt of ‘Dana’, which is likely to form over east-central Bay of Bengal by October 23.

Mohapatra said the system is likely to take the shape of a severe cyclonic storm. “The impact of the cyclone will be felt in the coastal areas of Odisha. Squally weather with wind speed of 40-50 kmph gusting up to 60 kmph may prevail along the coasts of Odisha from October 23 evening and increase to 100-120 kmph from October 24 night till October 25 morning,” he added.

Also Read: Odisha To Face Brunt Of Possible Cyclone ‘Dana’, Wind Speed@100-120 Kmph By Oct 24: IMD DG