In the wake of impending Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the Odisha government has ramped up its disaster preparedness.
A high-level review meeting was held at the Gajapati District Collector’s office under the chairmanship of Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature & Culture.
The meeting was attended by Gajapati District Collector Akshay Sunil Agarwal alongside senior officials, while block and sub-divisional officers joined virtually to coordinate grassroots-level preparations.
Minister Suraj conducted a comprehensive review of the district’s readiness to tackle the cyclone, strictly emphasizing the state government’s mandate of achieving ‘Zero Casualties’. “Tackling the possible cyclone and ensuring the safety of the public is our utmost priority,” the Minister stated.
So far, 10,200 residents from 147 cyclone-vulnerable areas in Gajapati district have been safely evacuated to relief centers. Special attention is being given to pregnant women, who have been strategically relocated to ‘Maa Ghara’ (maternity shelters).
The district administration has readied approximately 200 cyclone shelters. Authorities have ensured that all shelters are fully stocked with dry rations, cooking facilities, drinking water, medical kits for immediate emergency care, and reliable electricity connections.
As a precautionary measure, all schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers in Gajapati district have been ordered to remain closed for students for three days, from October 27 to October 29. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to all relevant authorities, and senior district officials have been deployed directly to vulnerable zones to monitor the situation on the ground.
Following the meeting, Minister Suraj personally visited several cyclone shelters across the district to inspect the facilities and ensure that the evacuees are being provided with all necessary amenities during their stay.
