Odisha well-prepared to face cyclone: Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: Even as the met department predicted that a cyclone will hit areas between Kalingapatnam and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh Oct 12,

Chief Minister

on Wednesday said the state was fully prepared to meet any eventuality arising out of the cyclonic storm.

A cyclonic storm will cross Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha coast by Sunday noon, authorities said.

"I reviewed the cyclone situation with all the concerned departments. All the preparations have been made to meet the situation. The departments have been asked to prepare contingency plan to deal with it," he said after reviewing the preparations.

"The deep depression over Andaman Sea and neighbourhood intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Hudud' and lay centred at 0830 hours today (Wednesday) over Andaman Sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal," said an India Meteorological Department bulletin.

The chief minister met officials of several departments including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, water resources, energy and special relief commissioner.

Patnaik: I reviewed the cyclone situation with all the concerned departments

As Odisha's Ganjam district is likely to be affected following the cyclone, the government has decided to send adequate manpower and equipment to effect restoration of power in the district.

The government has kept ready 340 cyclone centres across the state, where relief materials will be stored. People who will be evacuated can also stay in the centres.

The government has directed concerned departments to make preparation to face likely floods in Bansdhara, Nagabali and Rusikulya rivers.

The police administration, fire department, NDRF and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will hold a meeting to discuss how to carry out the rescue operation, said DGP Sanjeev Marik.

NDRF commandant M.K. Yadav said the agency will write to the central government to provide more teams, if necessary, within two days.

"We are fully prepared for the cyclone. There are 12 teams of which one each is already deployed in Balasore and Puri districts," said Yadav. It advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and asked those who have ventured into deep sea to return immediately.

IANS