After getting information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) about a possible cyclonic storm that is likely to hit the Odisha coast on October 12, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said the State Government was well prepared for the storm, named as 'Hudhud.'
“The Government is fully prepared for a possible cyclonic storm,” said Patnaik to reporters here.
Meanwhile, the State Government asked the Collectors of 16 districts to stay on high alert ahead of the storm. Notably a low pressure has taken the shape of a depression near the Andaman coast on Tuesday morning and it is stated to have a possible impact on the State.
In an order, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) directed the Collectors of Baleswar, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurdha, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Koraput districts to remain on high alert in view of the possibility of the cyclonic storm hitting the State's coast.
The Collectors of these districts were asked to direct all district officials and employees and call up those who are on leave to remain present at the district headquarters during the period, informed Deputy Relief Commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra.
Besides, the Collectors have also been directed to keep the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Brigade teams in readiness to tackle any eventuality.