India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhubaneswar on September 21 said that cyclonic storm ‘Daye’ is expected to hit the Odisha coast near Gopalpur and likely to cause damage to the road, rail and communication channels in various districts.
H R Biswas, director of the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said, “Cyclonic storm ‘DAYE’ lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal, about 90 km southeast of Gopalpur, and is likely to cross south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam and Puri.”
The IMD has also predicted damage to the thatched hut, roads, crops and minor damage to power and communication lines in Gajapati, Khordha, Ganjam, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
The IMD also advised the fishermen not to venture into waters of northwest Bay of Bengal and Odisha coast for next 24 hours.
Taking stock of the situation, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on September 20 held a review meeting and directed all the concerned departments and officials to keep a close watch on the situation and take appropriate measures to ensure no loss of life.
CM also asked them to arrange adequate relief materials. He also cancelled the leaves of government officials in five districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri.
The cyclone warning division’s advisory has said that the sea will be very rough over central and north Bay of Bengal and off the Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh coasts.
Chief Secretary A P Padhi said, “We are fully alert to deal with the situation. All departments concerned have been put on alert and the situation is being closely monitored.”
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed in different districts. One team of NDRF each has been deployed in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts with 17 boats and other emergency equipment.
