Cyclone: Odisha CM Reviews Preparedness; 25 Teams Of NDRF On Standby In West Bengal And Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a meeting to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

New Delhi: The Odisha government has intensified preparations to deal with the impending cyclone. Chief Minister Mohan Charan has reviewed the preparations in view of this. Although the path of the possible storm is not clear, the next few days considered crucial for Odisha. In view of this, the Chief Minister has directed the state administration and district officials to take all necessary steps. Similarly, tourists and devotees are advised to postpone their visits.

After the review, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "Low pressure has formed in the Bay of Bengal at 11 am today. It is estimated that the possible cyclone will cross the land between Puri and Sagardeep on October 24 morning. It will make landfall at a speed of 110 to 120 per hour. That is why the state government is fully prepared," he said.

On the other hand, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday said that it has kept 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 teams in Odisha on standby for deployment given the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. It was announced after cabinet secretary Dr TV Somanathan chaired an important meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra briefed the committee about the current status of the well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal. The meeting took place in a hybrid mood.

“It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over east-central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and reach the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning. Continuing to move northwestwards, it is very likely to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and early morning of October 25 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph,” Mohapatra said.

The chief secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal apprised the committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm and measures being taken by the local administration.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture out into the sea and those at sea have been called to safe berths. Control Rooms have also been activated and are monitoring the situation. Adequate shelters, power supply, medicine and emergency services have been kept in readiness. People residing in vulnerable areas have been identified for evacuation.

It was informed that rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, along with ships and aircraft, have been kept in readiness.

Regular alerts and advisories are being sent to the ports of Paradip and Haldia. Emergency teams have been deployed by the Ministry of Power and Department of Telecommunication for immediate restoration and the situation is being monitored.

Reviewing the preparedness measures of the central agencies and Governments of Odisha and West Bengal, cabinet secretary Somanathan said that necessary preventive and precautionary measures may be taken by the state governments and central agencies.

“The aim should be to keep the loss of lives to zero and minimise damage to property and infrastructure. In case of damages, the essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Somanathan said that it must be ensured that the fishermen at sea are called back and people from vulnerable areas are evacuated well in time. The cabinet secretary assured the Government of Odisha and West Bengal that all central agencies are on full alert and will be available for assistance.

He advised the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand also to be prepared to handle any situation due to heavy rainfall. Somanathan also stressed that the release of water from dam sites in the likely affected area should be calibrated to avoid any flooding.

The meeting was attended by chief secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal, Union Home Secretary, Secretaries in the Ministries of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Department of Fisheries, Power, Ports, Shipping & Waterways, additional chief secretary, Andhra Pradesh, member (technical), department of telecommunication besides member secretary National Disaster Management Authority, Director General of India Meteorological Department, Director General National Disaster Response Force, Director General Indian Coast Guard and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday asked the pilgrims and tourists of other states to leave Puri by tomorrow due to impending cyclone Dana and people’s safety in view of the cyclone. Similarly, tourists have been asked not to visit Puri on October 24 and 25. “Since there is enough probability that Puri may be affected by the cyclone, the district administration has been asked to make sure that the devotees from different parts of Odisha and outside the state leave the city from tomorrow. We will try they should reach safer places before the arrival of cyclone Dana,” said the Minister.