Bhubaneswar: Keeping the possible cyclone Dana and people’s safety in view, Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday asked the pilgrims and tourists of other states to leave Puri by Tuesday.
As some districts including Puri are predicted to be affected by cyclone Dana which is approaching fast, the Revenue Minister asked the tourists and devotees in the pilgrim city to return to their respective states for the sake of their safety. They have been asked to leave Puri by October 23.
Similarly, tourists have been asked not to visit Puri on October 24 and 25. “Since there is enough probability that Puri may be affected by the cyclone, the district administration has been asked to make it sure that the devotees from different parts of Odisha and outside the state leave the city from tomorrow. We will try they should reach safer places before the arrival of cyclone Dana,” said the Minister.
Informing about the preparation to tackle the situation, he said, “ODRAF teams have started leaving for the districts to be affected for advance positioning. Similarly, NDRF teams will move to those areas that are earmarked as vulnerable from tomorrow. The central government has also agreed to send extra NDRF teams.”
“In the worst situation, the employment of a chopper may be required. So the central government has also agreed to provide chopper services which will be available before October 23,” he added.