Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up preparations to deal with a possible cyclone, placing all 30 districts on alert and keeping a special watch on 16 districts likely to be more vulnerable to the developing weather system.

The preparedness measures were discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not yet provided a clear indication of where the system is likely to make landfall.

As part of the preparedness measures, leave for government officers and employees has been cancelled. District collectors will decide whether schools and colleges should remain closed, depending on the local situation.

The administration is identifying low-lying and vulnerable areas and preparing to evacuate residents to safe shelters if required. Arrangements are also being made to shift pregnant women to nearby hospitals in advance to ensure their safety during the emergency.

The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services personnel have been kept ready for rescue and relief operations. Fishermen still at sea have been advised to return to the coast by Saturday morning.

Police to protect homes of evacuated residents

The government will send alerts and safety advisories to residents through SMS and WhatsApp messages. Police personnel will be responsible for protecting the homes and property of people evacuated to cyclone shelters.

Experienced officials will also assist newly appointed district collectors in coastal districts to strengthen coordination and ensure an effective response to any emergency.

The government has urged people not to panic but to remain alert and follow official instructions as the weather system develops.

Mahanadi flood risk under watch

The possibility of heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi basin, including parts of Chhattisgarh, has raised concerns over a potential rise in the river's water level and the risk of flooding.

Authorities are monitoring the situation and have been asked to remain prepared for any eventuality.

Puri cancels government employees’ leave till October 29

In a separate order, the Puri district administration has cancelled all sanctioned leave for government employees until October 29, keeping in view the possible cyclone and the large number of Habishyalis observing Kartik Brata in the pilgrim town.

Government employees have been directed not to leave their headquarters without prior permission. Officials have been asked to remain alert to manage cyclone-related emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of Habishyalis staying in Puri during the holy month of Kartik.

Low-pressure area likely to intensify into cyclonic storm

According to the IMD, a low-pressure area formed over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on October 23 under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the region and the Andaman Islands.

The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. The system is likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on October 24.

It is then expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression on October 25, before developing into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26. The system is likely to intensify further and move towards the North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts over the following two days.

Heavy rainfall forecast for several Odisha districts

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations, in Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri districts on October 27.

On October 28, similar rainfall conditions are likely in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts.

Residents, particularly those in low-lying and vulnerable areas, have been advised to remain alert and follow official advisories as the state intensifies preparations to deal with the potential cyclone.