BERHAMPUR: WITH Cyclone Roanu stationed just 50 km away from Gopalpur, people living near the seaside in Ganjam district are worried about the rough sea and the possible damage to their property even though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and State Government ruled out that the cyclonic storm will pose any major threat to the coast.
As the cyclone is likely to cross the coast by Friday night triggering heavy rains on the way, police personnel and district administration officials were busy evacuating people from the coastal villages to cyclone shelters and school buildings in their respective areas. The administration has been making regular announcements regarding the cyclone for the last two days.
Ever since the announcements were made, the fishermen are reliving the devastation caused by cyclone Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014. “Since the two cyclones destroyed boats and nets, our livelihood was hit after the nature clamed down,” a fisherman said.
This time, though panicked, none of the families in the coastal villages agreed to move out fearing for their boats and nets.
“Due to rough sea, we refrained from fishing from May 18 and dragged out our boats, but in the absence of any jetty, we are guarding those by taking turns,” said P Appeyya of Arjipali.
Besides precautionary measures, the administration should initiate steps to construct a jetty for the safety of the boats. “Memories of the devastation caused by the Phailin still haunt us,” said P Krishan, a fisherman in Podampeta. Apart from the seaside villages, the town areas also received heavy rainfall on the day. Gopalpur received a record rainfall of 80 mm. Under the impact of the rain, thatched houses in different parts of the district, including Kharipalli village under Beguniapada block, were ripped off. Similarly, houses in Chikiti of Patrapur block were damaged. On the other hand, at least six persons in Patrapur were injured after lightning struck them. ‘Phailin,’ which had landfall near Gopalpur on October 13, 2013, had devastated the district claiming the lives of 17 people. ‘Hudhud,’ which had landfall near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in 2014, however, had not caused much damage in Ganjam district but had extensive impact in Gajapati district. Ruling out intensity of this cyclone like the Phailin and Hudhud, Ganjam District Collector P Ch Choudhary said, “Under its influence, the district may face heavy rainfall.”
Cyclone fear
‘Phailin,’ which had landfall near Gopalpur on October 13, 2013, had devastated the district claiming the lives of 17 people
‘Hudhud,’ which had landfall near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in 2014, however, had not caused much damage in Ganjam district but had extensive impact in Gajapati district