Cyclone Montha: Odisha CM Leads Vigilant Response as 17,817 Evacuated
Bhubaneswar, Oct 28 — In a decisive late-evening review, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the Special Relief Commissioner’s Control Room to assess the evolving situation surrounding Cyclone Montha.
Joined by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, SRC Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, and DG Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, the CM emphasised Odisha’s commitment to a “zero casualty” outcome.
“By the grace of Lord Jagannath, the cyclone’s impact has been mild so far,” Majhi stated, while urging continued vigilance as the storm is expected to pass through southern districts, including Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur.
The state has already evacuated 17,817 residents across eight districts to safe shelters. Special attention has been given to pregnant women, with 2,198 relocated to health centres and 651 more scheduled for evacuation.
Restoration teams from Power, Works, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj departments are on high alert for post-cyclone rehabilitation, while the Agriculture Department is prepared for immediate crop damage assessment.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also held a telephonic discussion with the CM, assuring swift decisions on resuming train services disrupted by the cyclone.
Odisha’s proactive stance reflects its seasoned disaster management framework, honed through years of cyclone preparedness.
