Cyclone ‘Montha’: Odisha targets ‘zero casualties’, evacuates over 900 people amid massive preparedness

With Cyclone Montha closing in from the Bay of Bengal, the Odisha government has begun large-scale evacuation efforts in southern districts, aiming for zero casualties.

As part of its preparedness plan, hundreds of residents have already been shifted to safer locations in Ganjam and Gajapati, two of the most vulnerable districts expected to face the cyclone’s fury.

Mass Evacuation In High-Risk Zones

According to sources, evacuation began early Sunday evening in Ganjam district’s Patrapur block, where around 300 people from Ankuli, Buratal, and Tumba panchayats were moved to cyclone shelters.

Reports stated that the administration has arranged temporary accommodation at local schools and welfare halls, while nine pregnant women have been admitted to Patrapur Medical Centre for safety and medical supervision.

In Gajapati district, the administration has evacuated 940 people, including 91 pregnant women, to pre-identified cyclone shelters. District Collector Madhumita, who supervised the evacuation operation amid continuous rainfall, confirmed that 139 landslide-prone areas have been mapped for close monitoring.

“We have received continuous feedback from GP and Block control rooms, and the situation is normal. Light rains have been reported in a few places, but no major incident has occurred so far,” she said.

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Eight Districts On Red Alert

The evacuation comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of possible heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flash floods once Cyclone Montha crosses into inland Odisha.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that eight districts of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal have been placed under red alert, with deployment of 128 disaster response teams.

These include 24 ODRAF, 5 NDRF, and 99 Fire Services units, strategically stationed to tackle any emergency.

Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on October 28, before moving inland toward southern Odisha. IMD forecasts that the system will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm before landfall.