Cyclone to hit Odisha coast: Govt alerts 12 districts, deploys NDRF, ODRAF teams

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today chaired a review meeting on the preparedness of the cyclone and appealed to the people  not to be  panic and cooperate with the  administration in effectively managing the  situation.

Mr.Patnaik said as per the IMD sources a cyclonc system formed in the  Bay of Bengal is likely to affect the Odisha coast during May 18 to May 20.

He said 12 costal and adjoining districts such as Ganjam,Puri, Jagatsinghopur, Kendrapara, Bhadralk,  Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Nayagarh and Gajapati  districts are  likely to be affected  by high wind and heavy rainfall.

"As always saving life is our priority, we should put out best efforts to save every precious life," Mr.Patnaik said and directed the administration to make adequate relief provisions in the affected people.

Met sources said a well-marked low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal has already concentrated into depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal has already intensified into a cyclonic storm and further into a severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards initially till May 17 and then re-curve north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal coast during May 18 to  May 20.

Besides heavy rainfall, wind-speed reaching up to about 120 km per hour could be experienced along and off the Odisha coast from the night of May 19 to the night of May 20, affecting  the Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts, at the later stages of the cyclonic storm.

The Chief Minister, who discussed about the possible preparedness with the collectors of 12 districts in the event of the cyclonic storm hitting the Odisha coast, asked them to keep the evacuation plan in readiness and if needed shift the people from the vulnerable areas.

Mr. Patnaik said, “We have faced many severe cyclones in the past such as Super cyclone, Phailin, Hudhid,Titli, Fani and Bulbul, and managed them successfully."

He said Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy will monitor the cyclone preparedness and response action while 24x7 control room will be in operation in all the 12 districts likely to be affected  by the cyclone storm.

Meanwhile, the state government had requested the centre to cancel the Shramik Special trains carrying the stranded Odia people to the state till May 20 to the districts likely to be affected by the cyclone.

Odisha Chief Secretary AK Tripathy totay talked to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba about the state’s preparedness to face the possible cyclone through video conferencing.

Mr.Tripathy said as per the predicted path of the cyclone till now, around seven lakh people in 649 villages along the sea coast in the state are likely to be severely affected.

The Chief Secretary said standing crop in lakhs of hectares particularly, ripe summer paddy, pulses and oil seeds, cashew, mango, coconut and vegetables are likely to be damaged in the heavy rainfall and wind.

He however said all  the 12 costal districts likely to be affected by the cyclone have been kept under alert and they are prepared for any eventuality of change in track of the cyclone”.   .

The Chief Secretary said ODRAF, Fire service and NDRF teams are ready for emergency rescue and relief operation. They have been equipped with necessary instruments for such operation.

Steps have been taken to pre-position them in strategic points. Since power infrastructure is likely to be affected more, the power gangs are being pre-positioned to start immediate restoration as the cyclone passes away, Mr Tripathy said.

He said: “Around 403 cyclone shelters have been identified  in the area likely to be affected by the cyclone."

Around 105 of such shelters are presently being used as temporary medical camps and quarantine centers for covid care.

Covid test of the persons accommodated in these centers are being done expeditiously on priority so that persons with negative report could be sent for home quarantine.

As a contingency arrangement, alternative buildings have also been identified for use as cyclone shelter, in case of the need for more evacuation”.     

Official  sources said out of 809 cyclone shelters located in the  affected  districts, 242 cyclone shelters have been converted  into  temporary medical camps/quarantine centres  for the Odia people returning to the state  for covid management.

The district collectors have been asked to identify suitable buildings an accommodation which could be converted into cyclone shelter to accommodate the people if evacuated  in case of any eventuality .

The Met sources  has already issued  yellow warning to several  districts in Odisha and predicted heavy rainfall in  the coastal districts from May 18 to May 20 .

The state government has completely suspended  all fishing activities till the de-warning issued by the IMD.

All the trawlers and  boats which were in deep sea, have already returned to the coast.