The Chief Minister said the government has opened over 2,000 disaster relief centres in eight southern districts likely to be impacted by the severe cyclonic storm.
The storm may dump extremely heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in eight southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal. Red and orange warning has been issued for the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Balangir and Sonepur on October 28-29.
Majhi said Odisha had successfully evacuated people and achieved zero casualty outcome during cyclone ‘Dana’ last year. “Evacuation of people from from low-lying and hilly regions is one of our key strategies,” he said.
He mentioned that 11,396 people have so far been shifted to 2,048 cyclone-flood shelters. “Evacuation of people from low-lying areas and hilly terrain is still continuing in vulnerable places of these eight districts. The administration is fully prepared to tackle the situation with a goal of achieving “zero casualty,” he said after the review meeting attended by Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP Y B Khurania and other senior officials.
The CM said that Odisha will receive extremely heavy rainfall and comparatively less intense wind. “Of the identified 2,693 pregnant women, 1,871 have so far been shifted to hospitals and another batch of 822 women in the advance stage of pregnancy would be brought to the health centre by Tuesday evening,” he said.
Majhi further informed that the state government has further augmented preparedness by deploying 30 ODRAF, 5 NDRF, and 123 fire service teams in the possible impact districts. More such rescue teams are on standby for any emergency situation, he said.
Hospitals have been equipped with DG sets and inverters, essential medicines, anti-snake venom, ORS, halogen tablets, and life-saving drugs.
The CM further stated that tourists are prohibited from traveling to sea beaches across the coastline and hilly areas like Deomali and Mahendragiri hills until the October 31, while fishermen have also been warned against venturing into the sea.
He said the schools and anganwadi centres have also been shut in eight red zone districts till October 30.
Asked whether the state government has sought any assistance from the Centre, Majhi said, “The Centre has assured all help if required. At present, the situation could be managed by the available resources with the state. Therefore, we have not sought any assistance now. However, if required, there is no such problem in getting help from the Centre.”
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a video conference with senior officials from East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR) to assess preparations for cyclone Montha, instructing them to prioritize passenger safety, manage train operations, plan for swift restoration, and maintain close coordination with local authorities and disaster response teams.
The ECOR has cancelled 42 trains, including Konark Express passing through Odisha, diverted two trains and short-terminated/short-originated five trains, and rescheduled eight trains.