Cyclone Titli alert: Schools in 5 Odisha districts to remain closed from tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: With the deep depression intensifying into severe cyclonic storm Titli, Odisha government today ordered closure of schools, colleges and other educational institutions in five districts as a precautionary measure.

The decision was taken today after a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Odisha Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padhi.

“The cyclonic storm Titli is likely to intensify further by tomorrow and is expected to make a landfall near Gopalpur on October 11. Keeping in mind heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast, we have decided to declare holidays for schools and educational institutions in four districts including Ganjam, Gajpati, Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur from tomorrow,” said Padhi.

Padhi further informed that decision for closure of schools and other educational institutions in other parts of the State will be taken after monitoring the situation tomorrow.

Senior officials informed that the district administrations of coastal districts have also been asked to remain alert and make necessary arrangements for evacuation of people in low-lying areas in view of flooding due to heavy rain that is expected to lash from October 10 (tomorrow).

Padhi further stated that the authorities have been asked to make necessary provisions for drinking water in both rural and urban pockets and keep generator sets ready near pumping stations to ensure water supply.

Similarly, Health department officials have also been asked to keep generator sets ready at community health centres to meet any eventuality.