Odisha Government Deploys Rescue Teams, Closes Schools and Anganwadi Centres as Cyclone Montha Approaches

Strategic Insights -

As Cyclone Montha threatens to affect eight southern districts in Odisha, the state government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens. With officials predicting severe impact in districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur, the government has cancelled all official leave and directed district administrations to begin evacuation from low-lying areas. Over 1,000 people have been evacuated to cyclone and flood shelters, and 91 pregnant women have been shifted to safer locations. The government aims for "zero casualty" during the cyclone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Odisha government has deployed 128 rescue teams across eight southern districts likely to be affected by Cyclone Montha.
  • The government has cancelled all official leave till October 30 and directed district administrations to begin evacuation from low-lying and vulnerable areas.
  • Over 1,000 people have been evacuated to cyclone and flood shelters, and 91 pregnant women have been shifted to safer locations in Gajapati district.
  • The government has started releasing water from the Hirakud Dam to accommodate potential inflow due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi and parts of Chhattisgarh.
  • Authorities have identified 139 landslide-prone areas, mostly in Ganjam and Gajapati, where special safety measures are in place.
  • A 24x7 helpline and control rooms have been activated in all eight vulnerable districts to coordinate emergency response.
  • The cyclone is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, with an estimated 200 cyclone and flood shelters readied to house evacuees.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 people have been evacuated to cyclone and flood shelters.
  • 91 pregnant women have been shifted to safer locations in Gajapati district.
  • 128 rescue teams have been deployed across eight southern districts.
  • 200 cyclone and flood shelters have been readied to house evacuees in the Red Zone districts.
  • 139 landslide-prone areas have been identified in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
  • The cyclone is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Nuapada, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal on Tuesday and Wednesday, and in Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sources:

  • "Odisha govt deploys 128 rescue teams, shuts schools as Cyclone Montha approaches." United News of India.