Odisha on High Alert as Cyclone Murasu Looms; Restoration Work Continues After Arnab
Bhubaneswar: Even as Odisha continues recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab, the state government has intensified preparedness measures ahead of the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has assured citizens that the administration is fully prepared to tackle any emergency arising from the approaching weather system.
A high-level review meeting was held at the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office in Bhubaneswar to assess ongoing restoration work and strengthen disaster management strategies.
Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, reviewed preparedness measures and relief operations.
According to official assessments, Cyclone Murasu, currently a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, may bring winds of 100-110 kmph during landfall.
Coastal and southern districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Puri, are expected to face significant impacts.
The state is simultaneously managing the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab and related floods, which affected more than 2.10 lakh people across 488 panchayats in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.
Three fatalities were reported in Ganjam.
Authorities evacuated nearly 1.42 lakh people to safe shelters, including 579 pregnant women, while relief camps continue distributing essential supplies.
Restoration work is progressing rapidly.
Road blockages caused by landslides and breaches have been cleared across affected districts, while electricity services have been restored to more than 99% of impacted consumers.
All damaged 33 KV feeders and substations have also been brought back into operation.
Health authorities have deployed Rapid Response Teams and Mobile Health Teams to prevent outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
Drinking water infrastructure is being repaired, and water tankers and treatment units have been mobilised in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, ODRAF and NDRF teams have been strategically deployed across several districts to strengthen rescue and emergency response capabilities.
Awareness campaigns are also being conducted at the grassroots level by ASHA and Anganwadi workers, encouraging residents to move to designated shelters if required.
Urging people to remain vigilant without panicking, Minister Pujari expressed confidence in Odisha’s preparedness and resilience as the state braces for another potential cyclone threat.
