Keeping in view the possible impact of Cyclone Fani, the Odisha government has cancelled the leaves of government officials in Ganjam, Puri and Kendrapara districts.
Coastal and southern districts of Odisha have been put on alert and fishermen along the coast have been advised not to venture out into the sea till the threat of cyclone passes.
Twenty units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, 12 units of National Disaster Response Force and 335 firefighting units have been put on alert. Also, around 879 coastal cyclone shelters and 252 power boats are being kept ready in different districts.
State Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi chaired a high-level meeting in Bhubaneswar on Monday to discuss cyclone preparedness. It was attended by top officials of the State police, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NDRF, ODRAF as well as other departments. The possibility of the cyclonic storm hitting the Odisha coast figured prominently at the meeting. Mr. Padhi directed the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority to keep a close watch on the situation and asked all departments to stay prepared.
Food, medicine stocks
The departments of health and family welfare as well as food supplies and consumer welfare have been asked to keep stocks of essential medicines and food items at the district headquarters. Drinking water supply is also being ensured.
State Special Relief Commissioner B.P. Sethi said Fani is expected to take the shape of a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ by Tuesday and further intensify into an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ by May 2 morning. It is now over south-west Bay of Bengal adjoining the east Equatorial Indian Ocean. Odisha’s coastal districts are expected to start experiencing wind gusts of 40-50 km per hour along with rain from May 2 morning.
Ganjam district that has faced Phailin, Hudhud and Titli cyclones in recent years has started preparing to face Fani. From Monday night, people living in rural areas would be alerted about it through the public address system. According to Ganjam District CollectorVijay Amruta Kulange, all government officials have also been ordered not to leave their station of posting.
Floods and landslides due to heavy rain during Titli cyclone had caused several deaths. Strong concrete buildings are being identified to be used as shelters in case of need. People living in landslide-prone high areas of Patrapur and Sanakhemundi blocks would be shifted to safer places downhill.
