Three Lakh Evacuated From Coastal Odisha Ahead Of Cyclone Titli

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said that around three lakh people have been evacuated from the coastal areas of the state ahead of cyclonic storm ‘Titli' making landfall.

Evacuation was carried out in the five coastal districts of Ganjam, Puri, Khura, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.

After holding the second review meeting at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner, he said that more people would be evacuated to safer places if required.

Stressing on the government's "zero casualty" disaster management policy, Patnaik said, the state government has been closely monitoring the situation. “The district collectors are already on high alert."

The state government's decision to go for massive evacuation drive was taken following an India Meteorological Department's forecast about a tidal surge of about one metre during the landfall of the cyclonic storm Titli at 5 a.m tomorrow.

According to official sources, 9.83 lakh people were evacuated when Cyclone Phailin hit the state in 2013 and 2.55 lakh people were shifted to multi-purpose shelters during Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. The state was also hit by a low-intensity Cyclone Daye last month.

The review meeting, attended by Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Special Relief Commissioner BP Sethi and others, also took stock of the state's preparedness for the possible floods due to "heavy" to "very heavy" rainfall under the influence of the cyclone. Patnaik directed the authorities to closely monitor the possibility of flood situation also.

Water resources secretary PK Jena said though there has been no such flood situation right now, the government has been keeping an eye on rainfall in Bansadhara and Rushikulya river basins in southern parts of the where the cyclone is likely to have more impact.