Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: The Odisha government has stepped up preparedness as the state braces for heavy rainfall and strong winds due to the impending cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, which is likely to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said all 30 districts of Odisha were expected to experience widespread rainfall, with heavy to very heavy showers likely in some areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system, which has intensified into a cyclone, was moving at 15 kmph and was expected to strengthen further, generating wind speeds of 120 to 150 kmph near Visakhapatnam before recurving southwestward. Malkangiri is projected to be the first district in Odisha to be affected, while heavy rainfall has been forecast across undivided Koraput, undivided Ganjam, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Puri and Nayagarh.
Pujari said rainfall would begin on Sunday, with heavy showers expected on October 27 and 28, intensifying into heavy to very heavy rainfall by Monday night. Following the system’s landfall on October 28, strong winds and rain are expected to continue until October 29.
With wind speeds likely to reach 40-50 kmph in some districts, district administrations have been directed to dismantle temporary installations wherever necessary. Large hoardings and boards have been ordered to be removed to prevent injuries and damage in case they are brought down by strong winds. Authorities have also been instructed to dismantle festival pandals, locally known as medhas, and stages erected across the state.
The minister said Odisha was coordinating closely with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to monitor upstream rainfall and its impact on the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga river systems. The pre-positioning of personnel from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services has been completed.
Eight NDRF teams and 40 ODRAF teams have been deployed, while additional units have been kept on standby in Koraput and Ganjam to respond to the impact of the cyclone.
Senior IAS officers have been stationed in various districts, while experienced ministers are overseeing preparedness in eight vulnerable districts. Public transport buses operating under the LAccMI scheme have been mobilised to facilitate evacuations. Health centres have been stocked with anti-venom medicines, and doctors have been stationed to handle emergencies. District and state control rooms are functioning round the clock.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said approximately 3,000 pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates had been identified for transfer to hospitals as a precautionary measure. She also confirmed that all marine fishermen had returned safely from the sea.
Meanwhile, Pujari appealed to the public not to panic over the approaching cyclonic storm and urged people to cooperate with the state government and follow official instructions.