Cyclone Dana: SRC Cancels Leave Of Odisha Govt Officials Engaged In Disaster Management

Bhubaneswar: The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) of Odisha has cancelled the leave of the officials of all departments engaged in disaster management activities being undertaken in the wake of cyclone ‘Dana’.

In an official letter to all departments on Friday, Deoranjan Kumar Singh, SRC said due to the impact of the Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Dana’, the disaster management and other response activities needed to be undertaken on top priority.

“Keeping this in view, the government has declared that the departments concerned are required to open their office and the officers will perform duty on October 26 and 27. The concerned administrative departments are requested to take necessary action on the matter,” Singh said in the letter.

Cyclone Dana made landfall along Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapada and Dhamra in Bhadrak shortly after midnight, bringing with it torrential rain and intense winds.

The landfall was close to Habalikhati Nature Camp and Dhamra during 1.30-3.30 am on Friday with a wind speed of 100-120 kmph. The landfall process took around eight and half hours and was completed at 8.30 am with the storm about 30 km northeast of Bhadrak and 50 km north-northwest of Dhamra.