Bhubaneswar: In view of the looming threat of a developing cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting to ramp up state-wide preparedness.
The Chief Minister directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response, stressing a zero-casualty objective.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is projected to intensify into a depression, deepen further into a deep depression, and turn into a cyclonic storm. The system, to be named Arnab, is expected to track west-northwestwards and reach near north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around October 28, bringing severe squally winds reaching up to 70-90 kmph alongside heavy to very heavy rainfall across southern and coastal districts.
Five districts – Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri – are likely to be the most affected, with significant rainfall expected in other coastal districts. “Schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres will remain closed in these five districts on October 28-29. In other districts, District Collectors will decide on closing schools and colleges based on evolving situation,” the CM said.
Officials have been instructed to shift people from vulnerable areas to safer locations with special emphasis on shifting patients and pregnant women to health centres.
The CM said that teams from Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, National Disaster Response Force and Fire Services have begun moving towards likely affected areas. “Approximately 60 ODRAF teams and 17 NDRF teams have been deployed. 225 fire service teams are on high alert,” he said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and those already at sea have been told to return to shore.
Authorities have also been directed to ensure adequate stocks of anti-snake venom at health facilities in anticipation of possible snakebite cases during flooding and waterlogging, and to promptly restore electricity and road connectivity if power lines are disrupted, trees fall or roads are blocked.
Since the harvesting season is approaching, the Chief Minister advised cautioning farmers in advance and raising awareness to harvest and safely store their crops.
In a related review, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo assessed the Energy Department’s preparations, with officials from Tata Power and TPCODL present. The department has finalised measures for post-cyclone restoration and power supply management, with special focus on districts expected to be hit, while the public has been urged to take precautions during rain and wind.
To mitigate hazards from high-speed winds and torrential downpours, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has ordered all Notified Area Councils, municipalities and municipal corporations to immediately remove decorative gates and arches erected for Durga Puja celebrations, along with similar structures for Lakshmi Puja mandaps, to prevent damage and ensure public safety. The Kataka district administration has issued a 48-hour deadline under the Disaster Management Act for puja committees, organisers, commercial establishments and the public within Kataka Municipal Corporation area to voluntarily dismantle unsafe temporary torans, decorative gates, flex banners, hoardings and other vulnerable structures near puja mandaps. Failure to comply will lead to an eviction drive by the civic body.
Tehsildars and executive officers are closely overseeing compliance across both rural and urban pockets.
