Bhubaneswar, October 23: With Cyclone Dana approaching, the Odisha government has ramped up efforts to mitigate its potential impact.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall in the early hours of October 25.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal from October 24 to 26. Particularly affected areas may include Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Kendujhar, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Khorda, and Puri districts.
In response, Khorda District Fisheries Officer Manoranjan Dash stated that all fishermen have been advised not to venture into Chilika Lake until October 26.
"We have informed all fishermen of the cyclone guidelines and urged them to avoid the sea," Dash said.
Similarly, Pran Nath Seth, Executive Officer of Balugaon NAC (Notified Area Council), confirmed that the local administration has taken extensive measures to address the cyclone's impact, including cleaning drains to prevent water-logging. "We are prepared to face the cyclone and have been warning people to avoid visiting Chilika during this time," he added.
Udayakar Behera, Assistant Registrar of the Cooperative Society (ARCS) of Chilika, emphasized the state's commitment to the safety of its fishermen. "We have alerted fishermen in the society and urged them not to enter Chilika Lake during the cyclone," he noted.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force( ODRAF) have been placed on standby in Odisha, along with rescue units from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.
