Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Sunday launched evacuation operations in low-lying and landslide-prone areas of its southern districts as the state stepped up preparedness measures ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone ‘Murasu’ along the south Andhra Pradesh coast by November 3.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said the administration aims to complete the evacuation process by Monday evening, prioritising people living in vulnerable locations.
Authorities have identified at least 150 vulnerable locations in Gajapati district, where the risk of landslides remains high following the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab.
With large parts of southern Odisha still recovering from the impact of the previous cyclone, the state has placed Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamala, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts on high alert.
Patil said the safety of people living in landslide-prone areas remains the state’s top priority.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclonic Storm Murasu over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the early hours of November 2 and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
The system is likely to bring wind speeds of up to 120 kmph, the weather agency said.
IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said the cyclone is likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
“Wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, are likely in parts of southern and coastal Odisha during the landfall. Heavy rainfall may continue in the affected districts for the next three days before gradually decreasing,” Mohanty said.
Patil said all district administrations had been directed to remain on alert and take immediate preparedness measures.
The state government is closely monitoring the evolving weather situation and has directed district authorities to ensure that people living in vulnerable areas are evacuated to safer locations.
