Odisha CM reviews Cyclone Dana preparedness, says 'zero casualty is our goal'

Emphasizing zero casualties, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the state government’s preparedness to deal with the impending cyclonic storm Dana that is barreling towards coastal Odisha and is set to make landfall on early Friday morning, threatening heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and gusty surface wind at a speed of 100-110kmph.

Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, SRC and other senior officials were also present at the meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Following the meeting, CM Majhi revealed that at least 1653 villages would be impacted due to the impending cyclone and appealed to everyone to leave their homes and stay at cyclone shelter homes set up across the state.

Cyclone Dana: Emergency Helpline Numbers for Odisha

Cyclone Dana: Railways Issues Emergency Helpline Numbers for Odisha Districts

He assured that police would be deployed to prevent thefts and robberies and appealed to everyone to go to safe places. CM Majhi further stated that 30 per cent of the people, around 3L living in the ‘danger zone’ were already evacuated and ensured safe evacuation of everyone from risky areas.

“Our first and most important priority was evacuation. We are committed to evacuating people to shelter homes and ensuring ‘zero casualty’. Rescue teams are working round the clock and the evacuation work will be completed in the next few hours,” informed CM Majhi.

He further added, “Medical and veterinary teams have been deployed in all the shelter homes. At least 2,338 pregnant mothers have safely been admitted to various hospitals. They are being provided with the best of health service.”

At least 19 NDRF, 51 ODRAF and 220 fire tender teams are at the ground level, the CM stated adding that another 158 platoons of police force have been deployed in all the districts.