Paradip: The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) suspended its operations from 2.00pm Tuesday as part of safety measures. This has been done in view of the impending very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’. The storm is likely to cross Odisha coast May 26, an official said. At least 12 vessels from Paradip port proceeded to the deep sea so as to avoid the path of the storm. All trucks, dumpers and large cargo handling equipment in the port area havealso been taken to a safe zone, the official informed.
“The authorities have been in coordination with the Odisha government and the Jagatsinghpur district administration. All precautionary measures are being implemented,” Paradip Port Trust Chairman Vinit Kumar told reporters.
Severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district early Wednesday morning. This information was given by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Odisha Higher Education Secretary Saswat Mishra has arrived here to review the local administration’s preparations for the cyclonic storm. The Odisha government has set a ‘zero casualty’ target.
The Jagatsinghpur district administration has been making arrangements for evacuating people living near the coastal areas to cyclone shelters. “Over 10,000 people have been evacuated in Jagatsinghpur till 10.00am Tuesday,” an official of the local administration said.
Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Amitabh Thakur and Jagatsinghpur SP Prakash R reached the Paradip Police Station to review the situation. They held talks with personnel of National Disaster Response Force and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force.
Kumar said the port authorities have provided food and drinking water to cyclone shelters in the district.
