Cyclone Titli likely to dampen Durga Puja festivities in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The run-up to Durga Puja could be marred by cyclone ‘Titli’ which is fast heading towards Odisha. As the cyclonic storm is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow, puja organisers have now decided to postpone several pending works including construction of pandals.

The puja organisers are also worried as cyclone ‘Hudhud’ had caused large-scale destructions at several pandals in 2014.

“We have invested a lot of money in setting up puja pandals. As cyclone Titli is expected to make a landfall on October 11, we have asked our artisans to postpone decorations and other arrangements,” said Japani Routray, secretary of Rasulgarh Puja Committee.

Secretary of Khannagar Puja Committee in Cuttack, Prafula Sahu stated that all the people in the city as well as puja organisers are now praying to God.

“Certainly there is a threat to puja pandals as strong and gusty winds reaching a speed of 100 to 120 kms is likely to prevail along the coast,” said Sahu.

Cyclone Titli has also left farmers in a state of panic as they are staring at crop damage.

“We are in fear as all our crops will get damaged in heavy rains,” said Ganesh Das, a farmer from Gajapati district.

Deputy relief commissioner, Prabhat Mohapatra informed that several parts of the State will experience rainfall from tonight and there is also possibility of flooding.

“We have alerted all district collectors to take all possible measures to tackle the situation,” said Mohapatra.