The Odisha government has held a preparatory meeting to address the potential cyclone, ensuring comprehensive readiness. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, along with Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, discussed the cyclone preparations in detail with district collectors from all districts.
Addressing the media at Rajiv Bhawan after the meeting, Minister Pujari stated that the deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal has been moving west-northwest at 6 km per hour over the past six hours. This is expected to severely impact eight southern Odisha districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur, which have been designated as red zones. Malkangiri is only 200 km from Kakinada and Machilipatnam, where the cyclone is likely to make landfall.
While discussions were held yesterday with collectors from 15 districts, today’s meeting involved all 30 districts to cover pre-cyclone preparations and response strategies.
Minister Pujari further noted that besides the eight most affected districts, the remaining 22 districts may experience rainfall due to the cyclone. Consultations have been held with all relevant departments to manage the situation. District collectors have been instructed to provide assistance to neighbouring districts if needed. In Gajapati district, where landslides are a concern, ODRAF, NDRF, and fire services teams have been pre-deployed. Additional teams can be sent from nearby districts if required.
Discussions with the energy department ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Alternative power arrangements have been made for hospitals, emergency services, and the drinking water supply. Elderly people and children are being shifted to safe locations in advance, while expectant mothers are being accommodated at local primary health centres. Residents in high-altitude areas like Mahendragiri in Gajapati are being relocated to safer, low-lying spots.
Fishermen have returned from the sea, and they have been advised not to venture out from October 27 to 31. Similarly, tourists along the coast have been instructed to avoid beaches.
Strict action has been directed against black marketing of essential commodities in affected districts. Leaves of government employees in these areas have been cancelled, and all schools are to remain closed.
Cyclone/flood shelters, school buildings, and community centres are being prepared for evacuations. As it is paddy harvest season, farmers have been advised to secure their crops within the next 24 hours.
In urban areas prone to waterlogging, immediate drainage arrangements have been ordered, with water pumps being set up in advance. Discussions with the water resources department have also covered river water levels, as revealed by Minister Pujari.
On this occasion, SRC Singh said that discussions were held today with collectors from all districts. Rainfall may begin tomorrow in the eight red-zone districts, intensifying on October 28/29 and likely subsiding by October 30.
So far, 128 teams from ODRAF, NDRF, and fire services have been deployed across these eight districts. District collectors have been instructed to evacuate people from vulnerable areas to safe locations by 5 PM tomorrow.
