Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparedness for Cyclone ‘Dana’ at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office today.
Addressing the media, Majhi appealed to the citizens not to panic, emphasizing that all relevant departments are fully equipped to handle the cyclone. “You are in safe hands,” he reassured and appealed to everyone to remain safe and vigilant until the danger passes.
Ministers have been tasked with monitoring the situation. All of them have left for the district they have been assigned with after the cabinet meeting. Along with this, experienced officers have also been given responsibility, the Chief Minister said.
People are being shifted to cyclone shelters on a war-footing from the danger-prone districts. So far, 30 percent of the people have been evacuated from the danger zone.
The Chief Minister said that the evacuation exercise will continue throughout the night and 90 percent will be transferred by 11 am tomorrow.
Dry food and cooked food and all related arrangements have been made for the people in the cyclone shelters, he said.
Majhi said that while Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Puri districts are likely to be hit hard, if the course changes, other districts are also likely to be affected. The government is also ready for that.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari was present in the meeting along with the Chief Minister. The Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Special Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Director General of Police and Principal Secretaries of various departments were present. Collectors of cyclone-prone districts briefed the Chief Minister about the preparedness through video conference
The CM also visited the Emergency Control Room of the Special Relief Commissioner and learned about various satellite information and studied the emergency communication system.