As Cyclonic Storm Amphan over the Bay of Bengal intensified into an ‘Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm’ on Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD predicted extensive damages in six districts of the State.
Total destruction of thatched houses, extensive damage to kutcha houses and some damage to pucca houses are apprehended. Potential threat from flying objects, bending, uprooting of power and communication poles are expected in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Baleswar, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts.
Major damages are expected to kutcha and pucca roads, minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signaling systems, widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts, blowing down of bushy trees like mango. Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings are likely due to the strong winds.
Keeping this in view, as many as 10 NDRF and 15 ODRAF units have been deployed in the coastal district to combat any eventuality due to the cyclone.
20 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 17 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 335 units of Fire Services and Disaster Management have been kept ready for deployment.
While 10 NDRF teams and 15 ODRAF units have been pre-positioned in six coastal and four adjoining districts, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena.
Jena said concerned departments and the district administrations of Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Baleswar and Mayurbhanj districts have been directed to remain alert. .
The SRC said the district Collectors have been asked to plan for evacuation people living in low-lying and vulnerable areas to safer places, if needed.
Besides, the officials have been directed to prepare plan for early restoration of affected road communication, drinking water, electricity, infrastructure and an uninterrupted power supply to hospitals.
As preparedness measure for possible cyclone, 567 cyclone shelters and 7,000 pucca buildings have been identified to accommodate about 11 lakh people.