Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday expressed confidence in Odisha’s ability to tackle the impact of Cyclone Montha.
The season’s first major storm is expected to make landfall around Kakinada on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, about 200 km from Odisha’s malkangiri, by tonight as a severe cyclonic storm.
In an reassuring message as Cyclone Montha approaches the state’s coast, Naveen urged citizens not to panic, reminding them that Odisha has successfully overcome many cyclones in the past. “You know the storm Montha is coming. We have successfully faced many storms in the past. So don’t be afraid. Be alert. Give full cooperation to the administration and follow safety measures to ensure minimal risk to lives and property,” he said.
Addressing his party members, the BJD president urged them to stand by the people during this challenging time. “My request to our BJD workers, brothers and sisters, is to be with the people in this time of crisis and help them. Reach out to those in need and provide every possible assistance,” he said.
Reaffirming Odisha’s spirit of resilience and solidarity, Naveen concluded: “We have always faced disasters together. This time too, let’s the cyclone together.”
Montha is likely to bring sustained winds blowing at 90 to 100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, and trigger very heavy to extremely rainfall in Odisha coast for two days. 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.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is prevailing along & off south Odisha coast. It is likely to increase, becoming gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from October 28 evening to early hours of October 29. Wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph may continue along and off south Odisha coast till October 29 evening and decrease gradually thereafter.
Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph may prevail along and off north Odisha coast from October 28 evening till early hours of October 29 and 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph till October 29 evening, and decrease gradually thereafter.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till October 29, and ports have been asked to hoist warning signals.
