Bhubaneswar: With cyclone Montha brewing over the Bay, the Odisha government on Saturday stepped up 0its preparedness measures and finetuned strategies to deal with the possible storm.
Though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that cyclone Montha is set to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the people in several coastal districts.
In view the impending cyclone, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting to discuss and finalise arrangements to deal with the situation.
The Minister stated that around 15 districts are expected to be affected by the cyclone, particularly in the southern and coastal regions of the state.
Several departments, including Water Resources, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, and Energy, have been put on high alert to tackle any emergency arising from the impending weather system.
“Even if the cyclone changes its direction, we are fully prepared. All necessary measures have been taken based on past experiences,” Pujari said.
Stating that the state government has worked out advance planning and coordination with district administrations, he said steps have been taken to ensure that every department remains equipped to respond promptly.
Emphasising that top priority is being accorded to protect lives during the disaster, the Minister cooked food would be provided to people who get stranded in waterlogged areas.
As sea conditions will be rough amid high-velocity wind, precautionary alerts have been issued by the Fisheries Department and Coastal Police in Paradip and other places.
Using public address systems, authorities have advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from October 25 to 29. Those already at sea have been instructed to return to the shore immediately.
Awareness drives through loudspeakers are being conducted in areas such as Paradip Nehru Bangala Fishing Harbour, Atharbanki Baliplat, Sandhakud, Nuabazar, and Chaumuhani.
The review meeting, attended by district Collectors and senior officials via video conference, focused on the state’s cyclone management strategy.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) asked all collectors to ensure cyclone shelters are ready and dry food supplies are adequately stocked.
Noting that the low-pressure area has now intensified into a depression near the Andaman region, the Minister said the system was around 1,000 kilometres away from Gopalpur, and is moving in a west-northwest direction.
The cyclone is expected to impact Odisha on October 28 and 29, affecting districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Puri, Khurdha, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and Bhadrak.
SRC D K Singh said the administration has already held discussions with district collectors and relevant departments