Odisha Districts Asked To Keep Cyclone Shelters Ready: Revenue Minister

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha gears up for possible cyclone, the state government on Thursday said while seven coastal districts have been put on alert and asked to take steps to deal with any situation, all the collectors need to remain vigilant.

Arrangements are being made at cyclone shelters, schools, colleges, kalyan mandaps and other places to safely accommodate people if it becomes necessary to undertake evacuation in affected areas, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik said.

In view of the IMD’s forecast about a possible cyclone, officials have been asked to keep these buildings ready with basic amenities to ensure quick evacuation of people to safe places, if needed, she reportedly said.

While making preparations for the possible cyclone, the focus is on seven districts, but all the Collectors have been asked to remain alert and maintain a close watch on the situation, the Minister said.

The districts that may be affected are Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore and the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has already alerted the authorities in these districts.

Officials have also been asked to keep adequate stock of medicines, drinking water, she said, adding that instruction has also been given for keeping adequate number of boats ready.

Authorities have been asked to remain alert and closely monitor the situation, the minister said.

Steps are also being made to keep Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Service teams in a state of preparedness to deal with any emergency.

As per the latest IMD forecast, cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’, which is likely to form over westcentral and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 24, may spare Odisha.

“The cyclone won’t hit Odisha coast, rather it will move along the coast. After intensifying into a cyclone on October 24, system will recurve and move north-northeastwards. Windspeed has not been predicted as yet,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told the media on Thursday.

However, coastal Odisha is likely to experience heavy rainfall on October 24-25 under the influence of the system, he said.  “A few other places may experience heavy rainfall activity before October 23. The impact will be comparatively less in Odisha as the cyclone is unlikely to make landfall in the state,” he added.

The IMD has so far sounded yellow warning for heavy rainfall in three districts – Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur – on October 23. The intensity is likely to increase further in the next two days.

The IMD has also advised fishermen to return to coast by October 22 as sea conditions will remain rough.