BHUBANESWAR: With another cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal, the state government on Sunday directed district collectors and officials to remain on high alert and take all necessary steps to deal with any eventuality arising from the approaching storm Murasu.
Special relief commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil asked all departments, revenue divisional commissioners (RDCs) and district collectors to implement precautionary measures, strengthen emergency response mechanisms and ensure the safety of people in vulnerable areas.
The SRC said special precautions are being taken in Gajapati district, where around 150 landslide-prone locations have been identified. Evacuation from vulnerable areas has already begun, with people living in settlements susceptible to landslides being shifted temporarily to safer locations.
The Water Resources department has also directed officials to lower the water levels in dams in regions likely to be affected by the cyclone to ensure adequate storage capacity for the anticipated heavy rainfall.
The SRC said as per IMD’s forecast, the deep depression over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ on the day.
The Agriculture department and district administrations have been asked to issue field-level advisories to protect standing crops, plantations and horticultural produce. District administrations have also been instructed to identify vulnerable houses and evacuate residents from kutcha houses susceptible to damage.
In urban areas, authorities have been asked to prepare for waterlogging and localised flooding, ensure timely closure of vulnerable underpasses and deploy emergency teams to clear uprooted trees and branches from roads. Engineering teams have also been instructed to reinforce vulnerable river and coastal embankments.
All district emergency operation centres and cyclone shelters have been directed to remain fully operational. Authorities must ensure adequate stocks of food, drinking water, medicines, ORS and other essential relief materials. Special arrangements will be made for evacuation and assistance of elderly persons, pregnant women, children and persons with disabilities, the SRC said.
