New Delhi: Odisha has been placed on high alert as the state braces for Cyclone Montha. It is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on the night of October 28.
Suresh Pujari, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the state’s preparedness. He said eight southern districts, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur have been placed under the “red zone” as they are likely to be most affected.
“The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwestwards at around 6 kmph and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within 24 hours,” Pujari said.
Odisha gears up for Cyclone Montha
District administrations across all 30 districts have been asked to stay alert. The minister also said that teams from unaffected regions would be mobilised to assist vulnerable districts if needed.
The state has also deployed 128 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ORDAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire services across the eight districts. Fishermen have been barred from venturing into the sea from October 27 to 31.
In Gajapati district, the risk of landslides is high. Precautionary measures have been intensified such as the advance deployment of rescue teams and relocation of residents from high-altitude areas such as Mahendragiri.
All schools in cyclone-prone areas have been ordered to be shut and government employees leave has been cancelled. District collectors have been asked to ensure complete evacuation of people from vulnerable zones to cyclone shelters, school buildings and community centres by 5 pm on Monday.