Odisha Govt Fully Prepared To Deal With Cyclone ‘Dana’, People Should Not Panic: Minister

Bhubaneswar: With cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ brewing over the Bay of Bengal likely to hit Odisha, the state government on Sunday geared up and asked the administration to remain prepared to deal with the situation.

Stating that the government is fully prepared to deal with the situation, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of the people.

The Minister told reporters that said the state government has started taking steps in advance to reduce the impact of the possible cyclone. Detailed discussions have been held with the officials concerned and the administration in different districts asked to stay alert and prepared to deal with the situation, he said.

Pujari said Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire service officials have been asked to remain alert.

This apart, the district collectors have been asked to prepare the cyclone shelters in their respective areas to accommodate people if it becomes necessary to evacuate villagers from vulnerable areas, he said.

Stating that a clear picture about the direction and intensity of the possible cyclonic storm will emerge soon, the Minister said the government is keeping a close watch on the emerging situation and people should not panic.

Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a cyclonic circulation now located over the central Andaman Sea is expected to intensify into cyclone Dana by October 23. It is likely to reach the northwest Bay of Bengal, near the Odisha-West Bengal coasts, by the morning of October 24.

As per the IMD, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining North Andaman Sea within the next 24 hours.

The system is projected to move west-northwestward, intensifying into a depression by the morning of October 22 and evolving into a cyclonic storm by October 23.

In view of the warning, Additional Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Padmanav Behera has directed the district Collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore to ensure that fishermen in their areas do not venture into the sea till October 26.

“Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast,” adding, “It is, therefore, requested to ensure the above advisory among the fishermen at your level and to furnish a certificate that all fishermen returned from the sea,” a communication from the SRC office said

Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to batter many parts of Odisha under the influence of the possible cyclone and the weather agency has issued red, orange and yellow warnings for different districts.

The office of the SRC has asked the Collectors of the districts under red, orange and yellow warning to remain in readiness to meet any eventuality, particularly water logging and landslide in hilly areas.

The authorities in the districts have been directed to maintain continuous vigil on low-lying areas and undertake dewatering wherever required. Steps should also be taken to deal with water logging in urban areas and in underpass roads.