Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today reviewed Odisha’s preparedness for Cyclone Montha at Lok Seva Bhawan and directed officials that “zero casualties” should remain the top priority. Though the cyclone is currently affecting Andhra Pradesh, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in several districts of Odisha, particularly in the southern region.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that no resident is left behind in danger zones and that all are shifted to cyclone-flood shelters or other safe locations. He recalled that during last year’s Cyclone ‘Dana,’ Odisha successfully evacuated residents and achieved zero casualties, stressing that evacuation remains a key strategy.
All departments have been directed to remain fully prepared to restore essential services immediately after the cyclone and to prevent roads from being blocked by uprooted trees. The Agriculture Department has been tasked with assessing crop damage and providing timely assistance to farmers, as it is the harvesting season.
Under Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, regular review meetings have been held for the past three days to strengthen disaster preparedness. The Chief Minister urged Divisional Secretaries and District Collectors to monitor all arrangements closely.
Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, and secretaries of various departments briefed the Chief Minister on departmental preparedness.
The cyclone is expected to impact eight districts the most: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. So far, 11,396 people have been evacuated, with another 30,554 on standby for relocation. A total of 2,693 pregnant women are being moved to health centers for safety.
To tackle the cyclone, 30 ODRAF teams, 5 NDRF teams, and 123 firefighting squads have been deployed, with additional teams on alert. Schools and Anganwadi centers in the affected districts will remain closed until October 30, with possible extension if needed.
Departments are prepared to maintain uninterrupted power and drinking water supply, with DG sets in all essential service institutions. Health centers in the affected areas have adequate medicines, anti-snake venom serum, and treatment kits. Tourists have been banned from coastal and hilly areas until October 31, and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea.
The meeting was attended by the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretaries Deoranjan Kumar Singh and Satyabrata Sahu, DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, and other senior officials. District Collectors joined virtually.
