Don’t Panic, Says Former CM Naveen Patnaik As Cyclone ‘Dana’ Inches Towards Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Mohan Majhi government is preparing to tackle Cyclone ‘Dana, which is likely to hit Odisha coast close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra by October 24-25, taking a leaf out of past experiences.

Responding to situation, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, credited for putting in place an effective disaster mitigation plan in the state, on Wednesday urged people not to panic but take necessary precautions for safety. He emphasised on awareness and caution and also called on people to cooperate with the administration in handling the cyclone’s impact.

Also Read: IMD Confirms Landfall Of Cyclone ‘Dana’ Along Odisha Coast; Check District-Wise Wind Warning

“Don’t panic upon hearing about the cyclone. We have successfully faced several cyclones together in the past. Our effective disaster management policy will help us mitigate its impact. Please remain alert, prioritize your safety, and cooperate fully with the administration. I urge all elected representatives to stand with the people during this challenging time and provide assistance. I firmly believe that together, we will successfully overcome this cyclone, just as we have in the past,” the BJD chief posted on X.

The UN has in the past praised Naveen for his “well-resourced disaster management authority” that saves lives during natural calamities. The 1999 super cyclone disaster, which resulted in over 10,000 fatalities, has pushed the then Odisha government to take multiple steps to minimise casualties, destruction. The effective evacuation of almost 1 million people in Odisha ahead of Cyclone Phailin was highlighted during 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, in 2015. The BJD government was also commended for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation during Cyclone Fani as it consistently aimed for “zero casualties” during disasters.

Also Read: Odisha’s Trysts With Tropical Storms Since 1999 Super Cyclone; The Hits & Misses

THE PREPAREDNESS

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has instructed all MLAs to visit their respective assembly segments and assist with rescue and relief efforts. He has also deputed nine ministers to districts which are likely to be impacted by Cyclone ‘Dana’.

The government has also sped up evacuation of people from coastal areas and sent 288 rescue teams to vulnerable spots in 14 districts. Multipurpose cyclone shelters, flood shelters, and other buildings to relocate nearly 10 lakh people from over 3,000 vulnerable villages and low-lying areas along the coastal belt.  “As of now, more than 5000 relief centers have already been set up with all modern facilities to provide drinking water, food, milk to children, and medicine to the ailing people. We are expecting around 10 lakh evacuation,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the Bhubaneswar meteorological center, indicated that a tidal surge of up to 2 metre is anticipated, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph. He warned that low-lying areas in Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts may be inundated and recommended the evacuation of residents from these regions.

These three districts are also experience extremely heavy rainfall on October 24-25, according to the agency.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Dana’: Extremely Heavy Rain, Gale@120kmph & Storm Surge Warnings For Odisha

Nineteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRF) teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, with 40 more teams have been sent to the likely affected areas.

While educational institutions in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khurda, Nayagarh and Cuttack districts will remain closed till October 25 as a precautionary measure, the East Coast Railway has cancelled 178 trains.

Leaves of doctors have been cancelled and the district authorities have been directed to ensure adequate stocks of drugs, including diarrhoea and anti-venom injections.

Also Read: Schools Shut, Trains Cancelled & Evacuation Plan For 10L People; Know How Odisha Is Bracing For Cyclone ‘Dana’

The government has announced closure of two ecological hotspots: Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district, which have been designated as ‘Red Zones’.