Odisha Govt Sets Up 5000 Relief Centres, Accelerates Evacuation Ahead Of Cyclone ‘Dana’ Landfall

Bhubaneswar: With cyclone ‘Dana’ moving towards the Odisha coast, the state government on Wednesday accelerated evacuation of people from vulnerable areas and provide them with food and other requirements.

With an aim to ensure the safety and security of people, the state government has set up over 5,000 relief centres in different cyclone-prone areas, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.

Stating that these relief centers are equipped with food and essential supplies, including drinking water, milk, and medicines, the Minister said that the state government is planning to evacuate around ten lakh people from vulnerable areas.

Urging people not to panic, Pujari said telecom network will remain operational during the cyclone as the telecom department has promised to ensure uninterrupted services during the storm.

Regarding power supply, he said Tata Power has assured continuous electricity, with backup arrangements in place in case of disruptions, he added.

The government has so far sent 288 rescue teams to vulnerable spots in 14 districts with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting Cyclone Dana’s landfall close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra by October 24-25.

The deep depression has meanwhile intensified further into cyclone storm. It is moving in the northwest direction with a speed of 15km/hour. It is 520 km south-east of Paradip. It may further intensify into a severe cyclone storm by the morning of October 24.

It is likely to cross North Odisha and West Bengal. The time of landfall is anticipated to be October 24 midnight to the early morning of October 25 and the anticipated speed is 100-110 km/hour and gusting of 220km/hour, the weather agency said.

Sources said storm surge of 1.0 to 2.0 m height above astronomical tide is also likely to inundate low-lying areas of Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore districts at the time of landfall. These three districts are also experience gale winds with speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph along with extremely heavy rainfall on October 24-25.

The state has already deployed 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRF) teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, with 40 more teams sent to affected areas.

The Indian Air Force airlifted 150 NDRF personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar. One IL76 and AN 32 were flown in from Bathinda, Punjab on Wednesday.

Relying on its past experience, the government has identified multipurpose cyclone shelters, flood shelters, and other buildings to relocate around ten lakh people from over 3,000 vulnerable villages and low-lying areas along the coastal belt which are likely to be affected by the cyclone with a mission to ensure zero casualty and minimum damage to property and infrastructure.  Priority will be given to shifting of pregnant women, children and aged persons first.