Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday reviewed the state’s preparedness to tackle the possible impact of Cyclone ‘Montha,’ which is developing over the southeast Bay of Bengal. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh held a detailed meeting with District Magistrates to assess the readiness of all districts.
Addressing media persons after the review meeting at Rajiv Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Minister Pujari said that the deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal has been moving west-northwestwards at a speed of around 6 km per hour for the past six hours. Under its influence, eight southern Odisha districts—Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur—have been placed under the red zone, as they are likely to be the worst affected.
“Malkangiri is located just 200 km away from Kakinada and Machilipatnam, where the cyclone is likely to make landfall,” Pujari said. He added that while discussions were held with 15 District Magistrates on Saturday, today’s meeting included officials from all 30 districts to ensure comprehensive preparedness and response planning.
Apart from the eight red-zone districts, 22 other districts are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall due to the cyclone’s impact. All departments have been instructed to remain on high alert, and inter-district coordination has been emphasized to ensure prompt assistance where required.
Given the risk of landslides in Gajapati district, teams from the ODRAF, NDRF, and the Fire Services Department have already been deployed. Additional rescue and relief teams will be mobilized from nearby districts if necessary.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply, the Power Department has made alternative arrangements for hospitals, emergency services, and drinking water facilities. The government has also made arrangements to evacuate vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and pregnant women, to safer locations such as local primary health centers and cyclone shelters. Residents in high-altitude areas like Mahendragiri in Gajapati district are being relocated to low-lying regions.
Fishermen who had ventured into the sea have returned, while fishing activities have been banned from October 27 to 31. Tourists along the coast have been advised to stay away from beaches during this period.
The district administrations have been instructed to take strict action against black marketing of essential commodities. All government employees’ leaves have been canceled, and schools in the affected districts will remain closed until further notice. Evacuation orders have also been issued for residents living in cyclone-prone and low-lying areas, as well as those in flood shelters and community centers.
Farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect their standing crops, as the cyclone coincides with the paddy harvesting season. To prevent urban flooding, emergency drainage and water-pumping systems are being put in place. The Water Resources Department has also been directed to closely monitor the water levels in rivers across the state.
Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh informed that rainfall is expected to commence in the eight red-zone districts from Sunday.
“The impact of the cyclone will peak on October 28 and 29, and is likely to weaken by October 30,” he said.
So far, 128 teams of ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire Services have been deployed in the eight districts. District Magistrates have been instructed to complete the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas to safer locations by 5 pm on Sunday, Singh added.
