With the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensifying into the severe cyclonic storm Titli, the State Government on Tuesday ordered closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi Centres in four districts as a precautionary measure.
The decision was taken after a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.
“The cyclonic storm Titli is likely to intensify further by tomorrow and is expected to make a landfall near Gopalpur on Thursday. Keeping in mind heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast, we have decided to declare holidays for schools and educational institutions in four districts, Ganjam, Gajpati, Puri and Jagatsinghpur, from tomorrow,” said Padhi.
Padhi further informed that decision for closure of schools and other educational institutions in other parts of the State would be taken after monitoring the situation on Wednesday
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi informed that the district administrations of coastal districts have also been asked to remain alert and make necessary arrangements for evacuation of people in low-lying areas in view of flooding due to heavy rains that is expected to lash from Wednesday.
Padhi further stated that the authorities have been asked to make necessary provisions for drinking water in both rural and urban pockets and keep generator sets ready near pumping stations to ensure water supply.
Health Department officials have also been asked to keep generator sets ready at the Community Health Centres to meet any eventuality.
Sources said officials of the districts likely to be hit by the cyclone have been asked to keep the cyclone shelters in readiness. NDRF teams have been sent to the vulnerable areas and 300 boats have been kept ready for rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Regional Office of IMD said the deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal which has turned into a cyclonic storm would cross Odisha coast around Thursday morning.
It is expected to cause major damages in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
Storm surge of height of about 0.5 m above astronomical tide is very likely to inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khordha and Puri districts at the time of landfall.
On Wednesday, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely to occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Khordha, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Baleswar.
On Thursday, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely to occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Kandhamal, Boudh, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Bhadrak and Baleswar.