Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is fully prepared to deal with a possible cyclone, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari assured people of the state on Friday.
Pujari urged the public not to worry or panic as the state has a great deal of experience in handling severe storms and cyclones, and is ready to face such challenges.
The coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are bracing for severe weather as the low-pressure area that formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal early on Friday is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm and head northwestward.
Stepping up preparations to deal with Cyclone Arnab, the state government placed all 30 districts on alert, with directions for special watch on 16 districts that could be more vulnerable to the developing weather system.
Various preparedness measures were discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by the Revenue and Disaster Management minister Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan.
Leaves for government officers and employees have been cancelled. District collectors have been asked to decide whether schools and colleges should remain closed, depending on the local situation.
In a separate order, the Puri district administration has cancelled all sanctioned leave for government employees until October 29, keeping in mind the possible cyclone and large number of Habishyalis observing Kartik Brata in the pilgrim town.
Government employees have been directed not to leave their headquarters without prior permission. Officials have been asked to remain alert to manage cyclone-related emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of Habishyalis staying in Puri during the holy month of Kartik.
The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services personnel are ready to join rescue and relief operations. Fishermen still at sea have been advised to return to the coast by Saturday morning.
Alerts & advisories through SMS, WhatsApp
The state government will send alerts and safety advisories to residents through SMS and WhatsApp messages.
The administration is identifying low-lying and vulnerable areas and preparing to evacuate residents to safe shelters, if necessary. Arrangements are also being made to shift pregnant women to nearby hospitals in advance to ensure their safety during the emergency.
Police personnel will help in protecting homes and property of people evacuated to cyclone shelters.
‘Prepared for worst-case scenario’
Speaking to mediapersons, Pujari said the administration is prepared for the worst-case scenario regardless of the final intensity of the storm or landfall location. The minister stated that all concerned departments of the state government as well as district administrations are fully prepared to face any eventuality posed by the probable Cyclone Arnab.
“There is no need to worry, nor is there any need to be perturbed. This cyclone will also come and pass. And to ensure there is no significant damage, the state government has put in place whatever arrangements are necessary,” said Pujari.
“Our preparation is mostly complete as discussions started 2-3 days ago,” Pujari said, adding that district-level preparedness would be reviewed at a meeting involving the Chief Secretary, senior officials and Collectors from 16 districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerted that a Low Pressure Area has formed over southeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation in the region.
“It is most likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on 24th October. Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression on 25th October, into a cyclonic storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal by 26th October morning. It would then continue to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts during the subsequent 2 days,” the IMD informed.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab Tracking: Check Latest GFS & ECMWF Landfall Projections For Oct 28 [Watch]