Bhubaneswar: Southern Odisha districts witnessed light rainfall on Tuesday as severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting the state government to remain on high alert and direct district collectors to stay prepared to deal with any adverse weather conditions.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Tuesday that collectors of Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and several other districts had reported light rainfall. However, the situation was being closely monitored.
“We hope the situation will not be adverse,” Pujari said, adding that the government was keeping a close watch on weather conditions in the affected districts.
The minister said landslides remained a major concern, particularly in the hilly and vulnerable areas of southern Odisha. People living in hilly terrain would continue to stay in shelters for some time as a precautionary measure, he added.
“We are on high alert, and people living in hilly areas will remain in shelters for some time, keeping the prevailing weather conditions in mind,” Pujari said.
The state government has shifted more than 1.60 lakh people to safer locations and deployed disaster response teams in five southern districts in view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
The administration has been directed to remain vigilant, with particular focus on vulnerable locations where heavy rainfall could trigger landslides and disrupt normal life.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of severe cyclonic storm Murasu, which crossed the coast early Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The cyclone uprooted thousands of trees, damaged hundreds of electric poles and wrecked several fishing boats.
Residents along the Andhra Pradesh coast recounted their ordeal as the storm battered the region, disrupting normal life and damaging infrastructure.
