Bhubaneswar: As part of the preparation, Odisha government has evacuated over 3 lakh people to safety across the State. Major tourist destinations have been shut down for visitors. Elderly women have been asked not to visit Puri Jagannath temple.
“Our target is zero casualties, and efforts are in full swing to ensure 100% evacuation,” said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. He reported that over 3 lakh people have already been evacuated, including more than 2,300 pregnant women who have been moved to safer locations. “More than 7,000 cyclone shelters are prepared, and medical as well as veterinary teams are on standby,” he added.
Security has been bolstered with police deployment to reassure residents, and essential power backup, including DG sets, gensets, and inverters, has been stationed at district hospitals. Both NDRF and ODRAF teams are positioned in the affected districts, while ministers have been assigned to oversee operations in each of the 10 districts. The cyclone is expected to make landfall near Dhamra Port and Bhitarkanika.