Bhubaneswar, September 26: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday directed the Collectors to complete the evacuation of people from low-lying and vulnerable areas by Sunday afternoon, as the cyclonic storm Gulab brewing in the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the coast between south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts near Kalingapatnam today midnight.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is in New Delhi, reviewed the State’s preparedness through video conferencing on Sunday and focused on ‘zero casualty’ and also announced that schools in 11 districts that are likely to be affected by cyclone ‘Gulab’ will remain closed on Monday.
The districts include Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh and Kalahandi.
The Chief Minister instructed the officials to ensure timely evacuation of people living in vulnerable areas and urged citizens to co-operate with the administration and follow Covid rules.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena and Collectors of likely to be affected districts attended the meeting.
SRC Jena informed that to tackle any unwanted situation, 42 ODRAF teams, 24 NDRF teams and 103 Fire Services teams have been deployed in the districts likely to be affected by the cyclonic storms.
The Chief Minister has also advised to involve SHGs, PRIs, volunteers for creating awareness and management of shelter homes. All necessary amenities will be made available at these shelter homes. Schools will remain closed tomorrow in 11 districts that might be affected by the cyclone.
“The Government is also taking swift action to ensure restoration of necessary services like opening up roads, electricity, water supply,” said CM Patnaik.
