Bhubaneswar, October 22: In response to the impending Cyclone 'Dana,' which is expected to make landfall by Thursday along the Odisha-West Bengal coast, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has been deployed in Cuttack to prepare for rescue operations.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is currently forming over the Andaman Sea and is likely to intensify by Wednesday before reaching the northwest Bay of Bengal.
The state government, under the leadership of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, has made extensive preparations, including mobilizing relief centers and shelters for evacuations.
With 250 relief centres ready and 500 additional makeshift shelters in place, the evacuation of vulnerable districts is underway. Pujari also mentioned that additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and helicopters from the Centre are being deployed.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured that the state is fully equipped to handle the situation, emphasizing the goal of "zero casualties" and 100% evacuation in vulnerable areas. Majhi highlighted that essential services, such as power and water, will be restored promptly, and hospitals will receive uninterrupted electricity.
Authorities are also ensuring the proper supply of commodities, aiming to prevent hoarding and price inflation.
