In response to the approaching Cyclone ‘Murasu’ forming over the Bay of Bengal, the Malkangiri district administration has initiated comprehensive emergency measures aimed at achieving zero casualties.
District Collector and District Magistrate Prathamesh Arvind Rajasirke chaired a high-level review meeting to finalize administrative protocols and oversee field preparations.
Key Administrative Directives and Institutional Closures
To prioritize public safety, the administration has announced the complete closure of all Anganwadi centers, government and private schools, and colleges across the district from November 2 to November 4, 2026. These educational facilities will be repurposed as temporary cyclone shelters, with staff instructed to remain present on emergency duty.
Additionally, under the direct supervision of the Excise Superintendent, all liquor outlets in the district will remain strictly closed from November 2 through November 4.
Field-level officials—including Block Development Officers (BDOs), Tehsildars, Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs), and Revenue Inspectors—have been deployed to identify and evacuate residents from hilly, landslide-prone, and low-lying flood zones. Special evacuation priority is being accorded to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and children.
Infrastructure, Medical Preparedness, and Public Utilities
The administration has rolled out multi-sectoral preparations across public health, transport, and utilities:
- Healthcare Services: The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), along with Social Security and Welfare Officers, has been tasked with transferring pregnant women due for delivery within the next 15 days to nearby Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), or the District Headquarters Hospital. Emergency block-wise ambulance route charts have been established.
- Traffic & Transport: The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) will implement traffic diversions along hazardous roads, low-level bridges, and vulnerable stretches. Barricades will be erected by the National Highway Division near flood-prone bridges like Poteru and Kangrukonda if water levels breach safety marks.
- Public Works & Equipment: Superintending Engineers from the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Division have been directed to pre-deploy halogen and tower lights at shelters, alongside heavy machinery (JCBs and excavators) in landslide-prone corridors to clear road blockages rapidly.
- Tourism & Water Activities: Tourism activities, water sports, and boating operations across Satiguda, Chitrakonda, and other local spots have been completely suspended under orders from the District Forest Officer (DFO).
- Power & Essential Services: Dedicated restoration teams from TPSODL are stationed to restore electricity swiftly at hospitals, drinking water installations, and command units following the cyclone’s passage.
Water Release at Balimela Reservoir
Following heavy rainfall warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), officials opened the gates of the Balimela Reservoir in Chitrakonda to maintain safe water levels.
The reservoir, spanning an expanse of 65 kilometers, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,516 feet. With water levels reaching 1,510.80 feet, one radial gate and two sluice gates were opened at 4:50 PM after sounding loudspeaker warnings in downstream communities at 2:00 PM. Floodwater is currently being discharged at a rate of 6,000 cusecs into the system.
Chief Construction Engineer of Poteru Irrigation Project, Trup Kumar Patra, confirmed that further decisions to open additional gates will depend on inflow rates and rainfall intensity over the coming hours. Senior engineering officials—including Superintending Engineer Kailash Chandra Sethi and Assistant Executive Engineers Tushar Ranjan Khuntia and Dillip Kumar Dalbehera—were present during the controlled gate opening.
Agricultural and Livestock Guidelines
The Chief District Veterinary Officer has been instructed to arrange safe shelters, mobile veterinary clinics, and fodder supplies for livestock. Meanwhile, the District Fisheries Officer has issued a strict advisory instructing fishermen to avoid all water bodies and coastal zones.
BDOs, Tehsildars, and the Chief District Agriculture Officer are using public address systems (miking) to advise farmers to harvest ripe crops and vegetables immediately to prevent agricultural losses.
Emergency Contacts
The district administration has activated a 24-hour District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) and helpline to assist the public.
- DEOC Landline: 06861-231372
- Toll-Free Helpline: 1077
All government personnel have been directed to treat these orders as MOST URGENT to protect lives, property, and livelihoods across Malkangiri.
