‘You Are In Safe Hands’: Odisha CM After Reviewing Preparedness For Cyclone ‘Dana’

Bhubaneswar: With cyclone ‘Dana’ set to hit Odisha coast by October 25, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) reviewed the preparedness for the storm on Wednesday.

After a thorough review of the measures taken to deal with the cyclone, the Chief Minister told reporters that the people need not panic at all as the government is fully prepared to tackle any eventuality and taking all necessary steps for their safety.

“You are in safe hands. There is no reason to panic as all departments and agencies concerned are ready to tackle the situation,” Majhi said, urging people to remain calm, safe and alert.

Stating that Ministers have been tasked with monitoring the situation, the CM said all of them have left for the districts they have been assigned with. This apart, experienced officers have also been given responsibility, he said.

People are being shifted to cyclone shelters on a war-footing from the danger-prone districts. So far, 30 percent of the people have been evacuated from the danger zone.

The Chief Minister said that the evacuation exercise will continue throughout the night and 90 percent will be transferred by 11 am tomorrow.

Dry food and cooked food and all related arrangements have been made for the people in the cyclone shelters, he said.

Majhi said that while Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Puri districts are likely to be hit hard, if the course changes, other districts are also likely to be affected. The government is also ready for that.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari was present in the meeting along with the Chief Minister. The Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Special Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Director General of Police and Principal Secretaries of various departments were present. Collectors of cyclone-prone districts briefed the Chief Minister about the preparedness through video conference

The CM also visited the Emergency Control Room of the SRC and learned about various satellite information and studied the emergency communication system.