Natural Calamities / Odisha Steps Up Cyclone Preparedness; Focus on 16 Coastal Districts

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday reviewed the State's preparedness for a potential cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal at a high-level meeting attended by senior officials and district administrations.

Officials said a low-pressure area is likely to form on October 24 and intensify into a depression on October 25, with rainfall and thunderstorms expected across several parts of the State between October 26 and 28, prompting authorities to prepare for possible rainfall, flood and related emergencies.

Rain Alert

According to the government, Puri, Ganjam and Gajapati districts are likely to remain under the highest level of rainfall concern, while heavy rain is also expected in Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur, among other districts.

The State has placed special emphasis on preparedness in 16 coastal districts, considering the possibility of adverse weather conditions.

Preparedness Measures

Minister Pujari said district administrations have been asked to remain on alert. Block Development Officers, Tehsildars and Panchayat-level officials will monitor vulnerable areas, while people from locations likely to be affected may be evacuated if necessary.

Fishermen have been advised to return from the sea, and cyclone shelters have been readied to accommodate evacuees. Arrangements are being made for food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies.

The Minister said doctors have been kept ready at Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, while provisions have also been made for cattle feed.

Rescue Teams Ready

The government has deployed and kept NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services teams on standby in 20 districts. Officials said both the State government and district administrations were fully prepared to respond to any emergency arising from the developing weather system.

As part of preparedness efforts, the State government has cancelled leave for government employees.

Public Alerts

Authorities said warning messages would be disseminated to the public through WhatsApp and SMS services to ensure timely dissemination of information.
Also Read: Cyclone Likely To Hit North Andhra, South Odisha Coasts On October 28: IMD DG

Officials also noted that while the precise landfall location of the system remains uncertain, the weather system is expected to move across Odisha towards Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, necessitating close monitoring of river levels and possible flood situations.

The review meeting was attended by Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, IMD Director Manorama Mohanty, Fire Services and ODRAF Director General Sudhanshu Sarangi, ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, senior bureaucrats and district Collectors of potentially affected districts through video conferencing.