Bhubaneswar: The Odisha chief secretary reminded the officials the resolve to have ‘zero causality’ as the cyclonic storm Titli heading towards Gopalpur coast in the state.
According to a India Meterological Department (IMD) bullentin, the cyclone would cross Odisha between Gopalpur in the state and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh around morning of October 11. Under its affect, wind will blow at a speed between 110 to 125 km per hour. Four coastal districts of Odisha Ganjam, Gajapathi, Puri and Jagatsinghpur are likely to receive heavy rainfall too. Storm surge of height of about 0.5 m above astronomical tide is very likely inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda & Puri districts at the time of landfall.
The IMD bullentin said that the deep depression over Bay of Bengal which intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ Tuesday and is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours.
The chief secretary, AP Padhi, reviewed the cyclone preparedness measures taken up in the state. Padhi said that the state government is working for ‘zero casualty’ during the cyclone. Evacuation of people living in the possible cyclone affected areas has been ordered. People living in low laying areas have been asked to shifted to safer places. While total suspension of fishing operations has been ordered, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till October 12.
While Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has been deployed at strategic places, the cyclone shelters have been made functional with storage of food materials and other essential items like medicine.
The development commissioner, R Balakrishnan, additional chief secretary, home, Asit Tripathy, special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi, police DGP Rajendra Prasad Sharma and other senior officials of the state government attended the review meeting.
The SRC said that the district collectors have been asked to keep vigil round the clock on the situation. The educational institutions in four districts are going to remain closed for two days.
