The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted that the cyclonic storm ‘Jawad’ may brush Odisha coast near Puri. However, the Odisha government has swung into action and augmenting the response measures for a possible landfall.
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Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Pradeep Jena said, “As per IMD’s forecasted track, the cyclone may just brush Odisha coast near Puri or it may slightly enter the landmass. However, the Odisha government has prepared itself for a possible landfall in Ganjam or Puri or Jagatsinghpur and readied the response measures accordingly.”
Jena said that at the time of landfall or when it passes close to coast, the associated wind speed will be 80 to 90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph. Accordingly, instructions have been issued to the districts administrations in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, parts of Cuttack and Khordha and portion of Kendrapara to start evacuating people in low-lying areas and those living in kutcha houses.
“Since it will be on a new moon day, there will be a storm surge which is also to be taken into consideration during the evacuation process. The evacuation process will start from today evening and completed by tomorrow noon. We have not fixed any number for evacuation, but we have decided to shift people from low-lying areas where there is a possibility of temporary flooding or storm surge,” said Jena.
The SRC further said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Service personnel are being deployed in the likely impacted districts across the State.
“Around 266 to 280 teams will be utilised for search, rescue and relief operations. We are working out on a plan and at the same time the forest department is also mobilising tree cutting teams while other departments will also be utilised for road clearance work,” said Jena.
Apart from cyclone centres, schools, anganwadi centres will remain open so that people can take shelter, informed a senior government official.