Bhubaneswar: With a severe cyclonic storm slated to hit the Odisha coast with wind speed of 100-120 kmph by October 25, the state government has announced a goal of “100 percent evacuations” from potentially impacted areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system will strengthen into a cyclonic storm on Wednesday and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island between October 24 and 25. A red alert has been issued for coastal districts, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak.
The IMD has warned of potential flash floods and rise in water levels in rivers in the state amid rainfall ranging from 7 to 20 cm with isolated areas also possibly experiencing over 20 cm. Red warning has been issued for Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur, Jajpur and Cuttack on October 24 and Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Keonjhar on October 25.
The district administrations have been directed to ready over 800 multipurpose cyclone shelters. They have also been asked to stock food, drinking water and medicines at these shelters in adequate quantity. “Cyclone shelters in districts likely to be affected have been kept ready with all basic amenities. Government is trying to make 100% evacuation from vulnerable areas. Although no casualties have occurred due to strong wind in the recent past, other causes have led to loss of life, such as deaths owing to the collapse of mud walls. To prevent this, all vulnerable houses must be identified and residents moved to safe locations,” Majhi said.
Instruction have been issued to officials to remain prepared to restore road communication, telecommunication and electricity supply in vulnerable areas, he added.
An advisory has also been issued asking tourists to vacate the pilgrim town of Puri before the landfall. “Tourists currently in Puri should leave the seaside town soon, as it is likely to be impacted by the severe cyclonic storm,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.
The Puri administration has been directed to discourage tourists from visiting the town from Tuesday until after the cyclone has passed, to mitigate potential damage.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that multiple departments in the state have been instructed to be on high alert.
“…We are fully prepared. We are trying to bring back the fishermen. Later on, we will know what will be the effects of this cyclone and which places will be affected. Then we will take the action. Currently, the cyclone is 1000 km away. Three types of forces will be deployed in our state, teams of fire and emergency service, Odisha Disaster Response Force and NDRF teams will be there…We have all the resources that we require,” DG Fire Services, Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, told ANI on Monday evening.
Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Hemanta Sharma said that energy grids and emergency transmission towers in the districts expected to be affected by Cyclone Dana are being monitored.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 in Odisha. Additionally, the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard have assembled rescue and relief teams, along with ships and aircraft, to assist if needed.
Closure of schools & leaves of govt staffer cancelled
The state government has announced closure of schools in 14 districts – Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khurda, Nayagarh and Cuttack districts for three days, beginning October 23, as a precautionary measure against the cyclone. Leaves of government employees have also been cancelled during this period. “It has been decided to cancel leave of all government employees from 23rd October to 25th October in order to meet any untoward situation and all the employees should remain present in their headquarters,” the SRC said in a letter to all departments.
Meanwhile in Cuttack…
The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has identified around 81 rehabilitation centres in the city to shift around 7,280 people from low-lying slum areas. “Arrangements are being made to provide relief including dry and cooked food at these facilities to be set up in 72 educational institutions and nine community centres and Kalyan Mandaps. 14 sector officers including additional commissioners, joint commissioners and deputy commissioners along with around 500 personnel will monitor and manage the cyclone shelters,” said. Cuttack Mayor Subhas Singh
This apart, around 16 junior engineers have been tasked with monitoring the dewatering process in waterlogged areas and provisions made to provide drinking water to people of all 59 wards, he added.
Bhubaneswar readies transit shelters
To deal with the impact of the tropical storm in the state city, 72 transit shelters are being readied with essential services and adequate food stock.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil has asked the drainage wing to commission pump sets in advance to check waterlogging and urban flooding. A 24X7 control room with helpline number 1929 and 78098 96621 has been made functional, he said.
He added that one ODRAF team is on standby in the city for rescue and relief operations, if needed.
Puja committees that have not yet dismantled the Durga Puja pandals from the mandaps have been asked to do so in the next two days.
Warning for fishermen, preparedness in other dists…
A large number of marine fishermen of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts have returned to the shore and anchored their vessels at fishing harbours and jetties in view of the impending cyclone. “Through loudspeakers, we are warning fishermen against venturing into the sea. The fisheries department will take action against fishermen who ignore adverse weather warnings,” said assistant fisheries officer, Paradip, Bijay Kar.
The district administration has decided to expedite evacuation of people residing in coastal pockets to cyclone shelters with all facilities and amenities. Steps are being taken to ensure immediate restoration of the emergency services like energy, drinking water and mobile network. Order has also been issued to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to all hospitals. said Kendrapara ADM Nilu Mohapatra.
Amid heavy rainfall and stormy winds forecast, Jagatsinghpur administration has initiated public announcements via loudspeakers in different areas of Paradip municipality. Additionally, the administration has advised complete suspension of fishing activities till October 26. “We have marked four blocks-Naugaon, Balikuda, Kujang, and Erasama-which are close to the sea, as areas of priority. Officials have been directed to evacuate residents residing in low-lying areas if required. We have 45 cyclone shelters and another 30 shelters are available for relocating affected people,” said Collector J Sonal.
The administration has requested two extra units of ODRAF and NDRAF to aid in rescue.
In Balasore, officials of Fisheries department have been conducting awareness drives among fishermen in Bhograi, Baliapal, Basta, Balasore Sadar and Remuna blocks. Announcements were made through loudspeakers in Udaipur, Talasari, Kirtania, Ransingpur, Dagara, Kasafal and Chandipur on Monday, urging fishermen not to venture into the sea in view of the impending cyclone.
Balasore Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas has directed panchayats in the blocks to keep cyclone shelters ready with necessary amenities.
Disruption in Prez’s Odisha visit
President Droupadi Murmu’s 3-day visit to Odisha has also been postponed.
The Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the President, in an official letter, informed about the postponement of the President’s scheduled Odisha visit.
She was scheduled to visit Bangriposi, Uparbeda, Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district as well as Puri and Bhubaneswar from October 23-25 and virtually launch three projects – Tribal Research Centre, Dandabose Airport, and a sub-divisional hospital.
