Bhubaneswar: In view of the possible formation of cyclone ‘Mocha’ over the Bay of Bengal, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparedness.
Recalling cyclone ‘Fani’ of 2019, the Chief Minister said it is difficult to accurately determine the path of cyclones formed during summer season. Therefore, the administration should remain prepared to deal with any situation, he said.
The Chief Minister directed the officials and departments concerned to remain in a state of readiness to tackle any kind of eventuality. NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services personnel should also be prepared.
Emphasising that every life is previous, Naveen also advised the officials to take steps for shifting of people residing in low-lying and vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters, if necessary.
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The Chief Minister also directed them to chalk out plans in advance for relief and restoration works in the aftermath of cyclone.
The CM also directed the Chief Secretary to review the situation regularly and asked the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to work in coordination with all departments.
Chief Secretary Pradip Kumar Jena said all efforts will be made to ensure zero casualty during the calamity. All Collectors have been alerted in this regard. Around 1000 cyclone shelters are ready, while more safe places, including school buildings have been identified, he said.
Giving details of preparedness, SRC Satyabrata Sahu said round-the-clock control rooms have been set up after holding discussion with Collectors of 18 districts. As many as 17 NDRF and 20 ODRAF teams have been kept ready for the possible cyclone, he said.
Though summer cyclones are always unpredictable, there is no need to panic as all necessary steps are being taken to deal with any situation.
In the past, several cyclones have been formed over the Bay of Bengal including Fani in 2019, Amphan in 2020 and Yaas in 2021. State-level and district-level control rooms have been set up and the situation is being closely monitored even though no cyclone forecast has been issued by IMD so far, he said.
It may be noted here that a low pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around May 7, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Though the IMD was yet to predict whether the low pressure area will intensify into a cyclonic storm or not, international meteorologist Jason Nicholls has forecast that the system may intensify into a cyclone and impact areas between eastern India and Myanmar.
A precise prediction regarding the path and intensity of the system can be made after formation of the low pressure area, weather experts opined. The system will be called cyclone ‘Mocha’ if it becomes a cyclonic storm.
