No cyclone threat: Garg

Bhubaneswar: There is currently no possibility of the system developing into a cyclone, but heavy rainfall could affect southern Odisha over the next few days, said Chief Secretary Anu Garg, while reviewing the preparedness of the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal during a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan here Monday. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha as the system approaches the coast, with particularly intense rainfall expected in southern and coastal districts around September 23 and 24.

The IMD has forecast that the well-marked low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a depression and subsequently a deep depression during the next 48 hours. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and reach the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast around the morning of September 23.

The meeting was attended by Fire Services Director Sudhanshu Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior officials of various departments and District Collectors of 11 potentially affected districts through video conferencing. “Although there is no possibility of a cyclone in the present scenario, there is a possibility of heavy rain in the southern districts. All departments and district administrations have been asked to remain 100 per cent prepared and alert,” she said. The Chief Secretary directed Collectors to continuously monitor the situation, take preventive measures and ensure preparedness in vulnerable areas. She also reviewed the situation with the Collectors and senior officials of Ganjam, Gajapati and Malkangiri districts. The Water Resources department reviewed the water levels of major reservoirs and the arrangements for managing the expected inflow. Officials said the water levels in the Balimela and Kolab reservoirs are normal and there is sufficient capacity to accommodate additional rainwater.

However, Garg directed officials to regulate the level of the Indravati reservoir as required, as its storage has reached around 84 per cent of capacity. The SRC said steps have been taken to repair power systems and other essential facilities at cyclone and flood shelters. ODRF and NDRF teams are being deployed as required, while the SRC control room will function round-the-clock.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from Monday till September 24, while those already at sea have been asked to return to safety. The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department has been instructed to ensure that the advisory reaches the fishing community. Preparations have been intensified by the Ganjam district administration in view of heavy rainfall. Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan informed that sea beaches in district, including Gopalpur sea beach and Sonepur sea beach, shall remain closed for the general public and tourists September 23 and 24. “110 cyclone shelters along with over 1,000 temporary shelters have been kept ready in the district as precautionary measures. Additionally, two special ODRAF teams have been deployed in the district, one in Bhanjanagar and the other in Chikiti-Patrapur area,” he said. To handle emergencies, the district administration has set up a 24-hour emergency control room and issued a helpline number 06811-263978.