Bhubaneswar, October 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday evening, convened a meeting to assess the state’s readiness for Cyclone Dana, announcing that evacuation efforts are underway, to relocate 90 percent of residents by 11 AM on Trusday.
So far, between 3-4 lakh people have already been evacuated, said CM Majhi
Addressing to media persons here today, CM Majhi said "State government is taking cyclonic storm 'Dana" very seriously. Arrangements are in place for the affected districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri. I urge citizens to prioritize their safety and remain vigilant.
The Chief Minister noted that over 30 percent of the population had already been relocated, and the evacuation process would continue throughout the night.
CM Majhi has urged the citizens to prioritize safety and remain vigilant as the government is fully prepared to handle the storm.
Alongside Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Majhi monitored the situation at the State Emergency Control Room at Rajiv Bhavan. The two leaders closely followed updates from senior officials on Cyclone Dana’s path.
Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that relief centers are ready and that senior officials and disaster response teams, including ODRF and NDRF, are in place. "Around 6,000 relief centers have been prepared, and essential supplies have already been delivered," Pujari stated.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling reported that the Health Department is on high alert, and measures have been taken to address potential health issues, including concerns about snake venom. The Chief Minister is personally overseeing the situation to ensure a coordinated response.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a video message, urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. He lauded Odisha’s strong disaster management policy, noting the state’s experience in handling previous cyclones. "Together, we will overcome this challenge as we have done before," Patnaik said.
With the cyclone expected to make landfall between October 24 25 along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha, the state's preparation efforts are being closely monitored at the highest levels.
