With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a cyclone landfall between South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh around October 28, the Odisha Government has swung into high gear, launching extensive mitigation efforts across the southern belt of the State.
While the system is anticipated to make landfall predominantly along the Andhra Pradesh coast, its outer bands are set to unleash heavy to very heavy rainfall and high-speed winds across southern Odisha. In response, district administrations in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri have been placed on absolute high alert. To safeguard students, all schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres in these five vulnerable districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29.
Robust Disaster Response and Zero Casualty Goal
Anchored by the State’s proven ‘Zero Casualty’ mandate, comprehensive administrative machinery has been deployed. Leaves for all district-level officers and staff have been cancelled, and 24/7 control rooms—ranging from District Emergency Operation Centres to block and tehsil units—are fully operational with dedicated toll-free helplines.
A heavy deployment of specialised personnel has been rushed to the frontlines to manage emergencies swiftly. A total of 30 disaster response teams—comprising 24 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units and 6 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams—have been strategically stationed:
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Ganjam: 9 ODRAF & 2 NDRF teams (11 total)
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Gajapati: 6 ODRAF & 1 NDRF team (7 total)
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Rayagada: 3 ODRAF & 1 NDRF team (4 total)
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Koraput: 3 ODRAF & 1 NDRF team (4 total)
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Malkangiri: 3 ODRAF & 1 NDRF team (4 total)
Evacuations and Public Safety Measures
Local authorities are actively identifying and evacuating residents from katcha houses, thatched huts, and low-lying vulnerable areas into fully equipped cyclone shelters stocked with essential amenities. Prioritising vulnerable groups, expectant mothers near their due dates are being preemptively relocated to nearby healthcare centres, while special arrangements have been rolled out for senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Strict restrictions have also been enforced:
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Travel & Tourism: All fishing activities in the sea are completely prohibited. Tourist entry into hills, waterfalls, dams, and scenic spots across the five districts is banned.
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Agriculture & Livestock: Farmers with crops that are 80–85% mature (such as paddy, maize, and ragi) have been advised to harvest and store them safely. Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) have been deployed to secure livestock and distribute fodder.
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Public Health: Hospitals have stockpiled essential medicines, including snake antivenoms and chlorine tablets, alongside water chlorination drives and pre-positioned power and telecom restoration gear.
The State Government has urged citizens to remain calm, ignore unverified rumours, and strictly follow official advisories issued by local authorities to ensure collective safety.
