With the cyclone Roanu in the Bay of Bengal intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm, the State Government on Thursday reviewed the preparedness to tackle a possible calamity and cancelled leave of its employees on May 20 and 21 while issuing an alert in at least 12 districts.
The alert was issued in coastal, southern and northern regions keeping a watch on the movement of the cyclone, Chief Secretary AP Padhi told reporters, after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the cyclone preparedness.
Padhi said all the departments were directed to remain alert over the probable cyclone while the district Collectors, especially in the coastal districts, were asked to open control rooms and keep ODRAF teams ready for rescue operations.
The Chief Minister also discussed the preparedness measures with the district Collectors via videoconferencing in the evening.
“The Government has decided not to allow any Government employee to take leave on May 20 and 21, which may be extended depending on the situation. A decision will be taken on evacuation after observing the rain and wind patterns. We do not want to create panic among people by evacuating them unnecessarily,” Padhi said.
The wind speed in Odisha coast is likely to remain within 100 km per hour and 10 teams ODRAF and fire service personnel have been asked to be ready for the operation, said Padhi, adding the Government would arrange more personnel if required.
As the IMD has predicted damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and to pucca roads in coastal areas and major damage to the kutcha roads, Padhi said the rescue teams were provided necessary equipment for road clearing and power restoration.
Meanwhile, the local Meteorological Centre informed that the cyclonic storm was moving north-northeastwards and lay centred about 530 km southeast of Gopalpur. The system is likely to move initially north-northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours, thereafter northeastwards.
The system would cross south Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night and early morning of Sunday as a cyclonic storm.
Sea condition would be very rough in the Odisha coast till Friday.
Centre Director Sarat Sahu said heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places over coastal Odisha and heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over interior Odisha on Friday.
Distant warning signal number two was kept hoisted at all ports in the State, said Sahu.