Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged people not to get scared while reiterating that all preparations were ready to meet any eventuality that might arise due to a cyclonic storm likely to hit the State on October 12.
“I reviewed the possible cyclonic storm situation with all the concerned departments. All preparations have been made to meet the possible situation. All departments have been asked to prepare contingency plans to meet the cyclone,” Patnaik told mediapersons here.
The Meteorological department has informed the State Government that cyclone Hudhud would hit coastland most likely between Kalingapatnam and Vishakhapatnam on October 12. Under its influence strong winds reaching 100-140 km speed per hour and heavy rains are likely to lash the south Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast.
An official release informed that the Government would strive for ‘zero casualty’ in the storm. Collectors of the vulnerable districts were asked to keep an evacuation plan ready and give high priority on the villages and habitations that are risk-prone.
Patnaik held discussions with officials of several departments, including NDRF, Police, Water Resources, and Energy, apart from the Special Relief Commissioner, at the review meeting.
It was decided that the Election Commission of India would be requested in written to spare the officers engaged in election duty outside the State and make them available for the disaster preparedness and mitigation exercise.
Since Ganjam district is likely to be highly-affected, the State Government has decided to send adequate manpower and equipment to restore power in the district after the storm hits the coast.
Meanwhile, 340 cyclone centres have been kept ready across the State, where relief materials would be stored and evacuees would be housed.
The Chief Minister directed the Civil Supply Department to take appropriate steps to check artificial shortage of essential commodities soon. He directed all departments to cancel leave applications of their respective employees.
Similarly, concerned departments have been asked to make all preparations to face the consequent floods in Bansdhara, Nagabali and Rusikulya rivers in the southern parts of the State.
NDRF Commandant MK Yadav said the agency would write to Centre to provide more teams, if necessary, within two days. “We are fully prepared for a possible cyclone. There are 12 teams of which one each is already deployed in Baleswar and Puri districts,” said Yadav.