As Odisha braces for a potential cyclonic storm, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has detailed the projected path of the system and the government’s comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy.
According to the state government, the cyclone is expected to make landfall first in Andhra Pradesh before crossing over into Odisha, triggering heavy rainfall across multiple regions.
Key Highlights of the Government’s Briefing
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District Categorisation:
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Category-1 (Highest Alert): Five districts have been placed in the highest alert category due to expected severe impacts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, and Malkangiri.
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Category-2: Kandhamala and Kalahandi districts have been categorised under Level-2 preparations.
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Projected Track and Rainfall:
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After entering through Andhra Pradesh, the storm will hit southern Odisha, bringing intense downpours.
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It will then move toward western Odisha and cross into Chhattisgarh, causing heavy rainfall in western districts along the way.
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The system is expected to loop back from Chhattisgarh toward Jharkhand, potentially impacting northern Odisha districts such as Mayurbhanj and Baleshwar.
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Water Resource Management: With heavy rains anticipated in Chhattisgarh, inflow into the Mahanadi River basin is expected to increase. Consequently, precautionary water release procedures have already been initiated.
Administrative Action: Officials Directed to Stay at Headquarters
In response to the looming threat, the Odisha government has issued strict directives to top administrative personnel:
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All Additional Chief Secretaries (ACS), Principal Secretaries, and Commissioners have been ordered to remain present at their headquarters.
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The directive aims to ensure round-the-clock administrative oversight, rapid response coordination, and effective disaster management operations across the state.
