Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has asked the administration of its 12 coastal districts to remain in a state of preparedness to deal with any eventuality in the wake of cyclone ‘Amphan’, a senior official said today.
On Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s direction, the district collectors of Ganjam, Gajapti, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda and Nayagarh have been asked to remain alert.
“This apart, we are keeping a close watch on the four coastal districts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore,” Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), PK Jena said.
Stating that the state government is closely monitoring the movement of the cyclonic storm, he said any decision on undertaking evacuation of people living in the low-lying areas and in thatched and mud houses will be taken with assessment of the situation after Cyclone Amphan recurves.
While arrangements have been made to shift around 11 lakh people from vulnerable areas to safe places, the number of people to be evacuated and places where such operation is required will be decided at the right time, Mr Jena said.
