Odisha orders evacuation of those living in mud houses ahead of Cyclone Yaas

According to the India Meteorological Department, a low pressure area has already developed in northern Andaman Sea which is likely to intensify into a depression by May 23 morning and turn into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 24. It will move north-north-westwards and make landfall anywhere between north Odisha and Sundarbans by May 26.

Published on: May 23, 2021, 24:18:59 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Ahead of the landfall of cyclonic storm Yaas between north Odisha and Sundarbans by May 26, the Odisha government on Saturday ordered all district collectors of coastal areas to bring people living in mud houses to cyclone shelters with Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a review meeting with senior officials over Cyclone 'Yaas' preparedness through video conferencing in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. (ANI PHOTO.)

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik who undertook a review meeting, ordered all district administrations in the six coastal districts to immediately evacuate people so as to ensure zero casualty during the storm. All precautions should be taken and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour should be maintained during the evacuation procedure, Patnaik ordered. All those who will be moved to the shelter houses will be provided with masks also.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a low pressure area has already developed in northern Andaman Sea which is likely to intensify into a depression by May 23 morning and turn into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 24. It will move north-north-westwards and make landfall anywhere in between north Odisha and Sundarbans by May 26. During the storm, the wind speed is expected to be around 120-165 kmph with 185 kmph gusts of wind.

Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on Saturday said that arrangements are being worked out to ensure Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and oxygen supply in the state. The industries department is reviewing the situation with oxygen manufacturers and refill agencies so that there will be no production, generation and refilling problem. Further, contingent arrangement for stocking extra oxygen cylinders in Covid Hospitals is also being worked out.

A contingent plan has already been made to ensure adequate power backup, drinking water, food and drugs, doctors and paramedics staff are available at all Covid Hospitals and Covid Care Centres.

At least 66 ODRAF, 22 NDRF and 177 fire service teams will be deployed in areas likely to be affected by the approaching cyclone.

As the condition of the sea is likely to get very rough during the cyclone, the Coast Guard has safely brought back all fishermen who had ventured out into the sea.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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