Odisha Activates Full Disaster Preparedness as Bay of Bengal System May Intensify into Cyclone
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has activated its full disaster management machinery following forecasts that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26.
Odisha Activates Full Disaster Machinery as Bay of Bengal System Threatens to Become a Cyclone by Oct 26
A high-level review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari was held at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) to assess preparedness and coordinate response measures across departments.
Senior officials, district collectors, disaster management agencies, and meteorological experts participated in the meeting.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system is expected to evolve into a depression on October 24, strengthen into a deep depression on October 25, and potentially become a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26.
Forecast models indicate movement towards north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha.
In response, the state government has directed all coastal and vulnerable districts to update contingency plans, keep cyclone shelters ready, and prepare for evacuation operations if required.
District administrations have also been instructed to ensure uninterrupted coordination among all line departments.
Authorities have advised fishermen to immediately return from deep-sea fishing operations, while alerts have been issued to boat and trawler operators along the coast.
Special emphasis is being placed on the safety of pregnant women nearing delivery. Local administrations have been asked to identify such individuals and shift them to secure medical facilities ahead of adverse weather conditions.
The Health Department has been tasked with keeping medical relief centres operational, ensuring adequate stocks of essential medicines, activating mobile health teams, and maintaining power backup at healthcare facilities.
The government reiterated Odisha’s “Zero Casualty” approach to disaster management and instructed all departments to remain on maximum alert.
Emergency response forces, including NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services, have been kept on standby for any eventuality.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts from October 26 to October 28.
Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts have been identified as highly vulnerable to extremely heavy rainfall and associated impacts.
Residents have been urged to follow official advisories and avoid spreading or acting on rumours.
