Odisha Govt Sets Up 5000 Relief Centres, Accelerates Evacuation Ahead Of Cyclone 'Dana' Landfall

Bhubaneswar: With cyclone ‘Dana’ moving towards the Odisha coast, the state government on Wednesday accelerated evacuation of people from vulnerable areas and provide them with food and other requirements.

With an aim to ensure the safety and security of people, the state government has set up over 5,000 relief centres in different cyclone-prone areas, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.

Stating that these relief centers are equipped with food and essential supplies, including drinking water, milk, and medicines, the Minister said that the state government is planning to evacuate around ten lakh people from vulnerable areas.

Urging people not to panic, Pujari said telecom network will remain operational during the cyclone as the telecom department has promised to ensure uninterrupted services during the storm.

Regarding power supply, he said Tata Power has assured continuous electricity, with backup arrangements in place in case of disruptions, he added.

The government has so far sent 288 rescue teams to vulnerable spots in 14 districts with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting Cyclone Dana’s landfall close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra by October 24-25.

The deep depression has meanwhile intensified further into cyclone storm. It is moving in the northwest direction with a speed of 15km/hour. It is 520 km south-east of Paradip. It may further intensify into a severe cyclone storm by the morning of October 24.

It is likely to cross North Odisha and West Bengal. The time of landfall is anticipated to be October 24 midnight to the early morning of October 25 and the anticipated speed is 100-110 km/hour and gusting of 220km/hour, the weather agency said.

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