Officials alerted even as Met predicts less impact of cyclone Kyant on Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today reviewed the preparedness to tackle any eventuality likely to arise due to cyclone Kyant, which is moving towards Andhra Pradesh currently and will have less impact on Odisha as per IMD prediction.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today held a review meeting with chief secretary, DGP, Regional Meteorological Department director, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Secretaries of Revenue, Food,Energy, Agriculture and Rural Development departments. The officials of NDRF, Fire and ODRAF also attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister discussed with 14 Collectors of sensitive districts via video conference and directed them to remain alert, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra told reporters after the meeting. He said as per the Meteorological department's prediction the cyclone is moving towards Andhra Pradesh.

The official holidays have been cancelled and the government staffs have been asked to remain in field on October 29 and 30 to keep a watch on the situation, he added. The Collectors have been asked to take measures to keep the harvested crop covered as rain is expected under the influence of the cyclonic storm.

Met officials said the deep depression turned into cyclone, which is lying 715 km away from the Gopalpur coast of Odisha. It is currently moving in north-west direction and is likely to reach west-central Bay of Bengal.

Under the influence of this system, the coastal and southern parts of Odisha are likely to experience less to mild rainfall on October 29 and 30. Similarly, wind speed during the time will be around 55-60 km/hour, Met director Sarat Sahoo said.