Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday put all 30 districts on alert as the deep depression over Bay of Bengal expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by late night.
The system may intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada between 4.30 pm and 11 pm on October 28 with sustained wind speed of 90 to 100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, triggering very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across southern coastal districts of Odisha. An alert has also been sounded across the Odisha coast from Ganjam to Balasore, with authorities urging fishermen not to venture into the sea till October 30.
Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari, who chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness, said that eight districts – Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Kandhamal and Kalahandi – are under red zone, where the impact of the cyclone is expected to be more. “Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada are also likely to be affected. Since there is a possibility that the system may change direction while gaining strength, we have put all 30 districts on alert with men and machinery ready for rescue and relief operations,” he said, stressing the disaster-ready mantra of Odisha.
The impact of the impending cyclone is likely to be felt most in Malkangiri and Koraput. While three ODRAF teams, eight fire service units, and one NDRF team have been deployed in Malkangiri, three ODRAF, one NDRF, and 14 fire service teams are ready for immediate response in Koraput.
The Revenue Minister said that the district collectors have been directed to evacuate people from low-lying areas due to impending heavy rainfall and places likely to be hit by surface wind. “The districts, which escape the brunt of the cyclone, have been instructed to help the nearby affected districts. Since heavy rain could lead to landslides and mudslides, the district administrations have been directed to identify such regions and accordingly initiate measures to tackle the situation,” he said.
Pujari also warned traders against black-marketing or increasing prices of essential items. “If anybody tries to take advantage of this critical situation by hoarding essential commodities or indulging in black marketing, stern and exemplary action will be taken.”
He said that the district administrations have been instructed to ensure public safety. “Hotel owners have been directed not to allow tourists to venture outside, especially near sea shores, during the next four days,” he added.
The Puri administration has restricted access to the sea beach starting Monday.
Odisha has a history of being battered by cyclones emerging from the Bay of Bengal in the month of October. The super cyclone of 1999 had hit the state on October 29, leaving behind an unprecedented trail of devastation. Phalini (2013), Hudhud (2014), Titli (2018) and Severe Cyclone Dana (2024) also occurred in October while Fani, a May cyclone, tore through Puri in 2019.