Odisha on high alert as Cyclone Murasu approaches coast
The state government has mobilised disaster management teams and begun evacuations in landslide-prone areas as heavy rain is forecast for southern districts.
The Odisha government has placed the state on high alert as severe Cyclone Murasu approaches the coast, according to reports by Pragativadi and Odisha Bytes. Disaster management machinery has been fully mobilised to tackle the threat, with the government launching evacuations in vulnerable areas.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said that evacuation from vulnerable locations has already begun. In Gajapati district, where approximately 150 landslide-prone locations have been identified, people are being shifted to safer places due to the risk of landslides from saturated soil. Patil stated that instructions have been issued to complete the evacuation in these locations by Monday afternoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the cyclone to make landfall between Nellore and Narasapuram on the Andhra Pradesh coast. Wind speeds during landfall are projected to be between 100 and 110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
Southern Odisha is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri for November 3-4. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall have been issued for Khordha, Puri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nayagada.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said over 300 rescue teams, including NDRF, ODRF, and Fire Services personnel, have been deployed. This comes as the state continues to manage the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, which affected nearly 1.18 lakh people and damaged 75,388 hectares of farmland.