Bhubaneawar, May 21: Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain has directed Collectors of 11 districts of the State to ensure storage of adequate amount of essential commodities as a cyclonic storm may hit its coast on May 26.
Odisha received a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting the formation of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which may take the shape of a cyclonic storm and system is likely to pass through the Odisha-West Bengal coast by May 26.
“Ahead of cyclonic storm likely to hit coastal Odisha, Collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Nayagarh, Gajapati and Ganjam districts are instructed to ensure storage of adequate amount of essential commodities,” tweeted Minister Swain on Friday morning.
“All remote/inaccessible pockets must have adequate stocks of PDS commodities. Areas which are likely to be cut-off/badly hit to be identified & FPSs to be allowed to lift their entitlements in advance,” wrote the Minister.
The Minister also asked the concerned Collectors to ensure maintenance of fluid reserve stock by all licensees.
“Maintenance of Fluid Reserve Stock by all licensees to be ensured. Petrol pumps to keep adequate stock alongwith gensets sets, etc.
CCSOs/CSOs & field officials of @Food_Odisha Dept to provide full support & assistance to district authorities,” tweeted the Minister.
The prevailing low-pressure area, if it develops into a cyclone, will be christened ”Yaas”, a name given by Oman, in accordance with a standard procedure.
