Cyclone landfall likely tomorrow, Odisha to evacuate 10 lakh

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha plans to evacuate up to 10 lakh people, if required, with the severe cyclonic storm Dana likely to make landfall in Kendrapara district with a wind speed of 100-120 kmph between Thursday night and Friday morning. Govt has identified 3,000 vulnerable pockets for evacuation .

The special relief commissioner has asked collectors of 14 districts to start the evacuation process from Wednesday. As many as 6,000 shelters have been kept ready with basic amenities to accommodate the evacuees. Senior IAS officers have been asked to supervise rescue and relief operation in the most vulnerable districts - Puri, Kendrapara, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj.

Fifty-one ODRAF teams, 10 NDRF , and 178 fire services teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts. State has also sought 10 more NDRF teams and a chopper from the Centre for rescue operations .

CM Mohan Majhi has asked all MLAs to remain in their constituencies, expedite rescue and relief operations, and coordinate with district administrations to deal with the cyclone .

In wake of cyclone, Railways cancelled 198 trains. Odisha govt cancelled leaves of all employees, including doctors. Universities, colleges, schools and anganwadi centres will remain closed from October 23 to 25.