Impact Of Cyclone Yaas On Odisha Less Than Expected: NDRF DG

Bhubaneswar: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General Satya Narayan Pradhan said on Wednesday that the impact of Cyclone Yaas on Odisha has been less than expected.

Briefing the media in New Delhi, he said that India Meteorological Department (IMD) had projected that the wind speed at the time of landfall will be 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 km, which fortunately did not happen. The storm crossed the coast at 130-150 kmph.

He stated that NDRF teams deployed in cyclone-hit districts have revved up post-cyclone restoration work.

As Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena had spoken about a possibility of flash flood in Budhabalang river in Mayurbhanj district, 10 NDRF teams have been deployed in the district for rescue operations, Pradhan informed.

“We have sufficient number of boats to rescue the people from marooned areas,” he added.

As the extent of damage is more in north Odisha districts, Pradhan said if the state government desires, NDRF teams deployed in non-affected coastal districts can be redeployed in northern districts to expedite maintenance and restoration work.