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Bhubaneswar, Oct 27 (IANS) Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday urged people not to panic over the impending cyclonic storm Month and assured that all necessary preparations have been completed to deal with its possible impact.
Speaking to media persons after a high-level meeting of various departments and agencies, Pujari said that final preparations have been completed at all levels including the state government, district administration, block and panchayat level.
The Revenue Minister appealed, “We would like to urge people not to panic or worry about the cyclone. Together we will face this cyclone successfully, leaving no casualties. Unless there is an emergency, do not come out of your homes.”
He said the cyclonic system is currently moving at a speed of 18 km per hour, which is a positive sign, as experts suggest that the faster a system moves over the sea, the less will be its impact.
Pujari further said that after making landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the cyclonic storm will cross Malkangiri district of the state and move towards neighboring Chhattisgarh. Due to this system, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh, which may increase the water level of Mahanadi.
The Water Resources Department has started releasing water from the reservoirs, which are about 88 per cent of their capacity, to accommodate the additional inflow. Pujari said Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Devranjan Kumar Singh will also speak to Indian Coast Guard officials to seek assistance in dealing with the cyclone.
Indian Coast Guard helicopters can be used to keep an aerial eye on the situation. The minister said that so far around 200 pregnant women have been shifted to the nearest primary health centres. Tourists and pilgrims living at high places in hilly areas have been instructed to move to safe places.
The work of evacuating people from low-lying and sensitive areas to safe places is going on. The Minister also appealed to the people of these areas to go to nearby cyclone/relief shelters and school buildings and assured that Odisha Police will ensure the security of their properties during their absence.
Schools and Anganwadi centers in eight districts of the red zone – Malkangiri, Koratsa, Raida, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Narangpur – have been closed till October.
128 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire services have been deployed in the above districts.
–IANS
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