Safety net cast wide as Hud Hud approaches

BERHAMPUR: Taking lessons from the experience during cyclonic storm Phailin last year, Ganjam district administration is leaving no stone unturned to minimise the damage likely to be caused by cyclone Hud Hud. The administration has asked people not to panic, but to remain alert.

Ganjam is one of the districts in the State which is likely to be affected most by the Hud Hud. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), under the influence of the Hud Hud, the district is likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by strong wind.

At a preparedness review meeting on Friday, Collector Prem Chandra Choudhary said as per IMD, the wind speed may reach 70 to 80 kmph, but there will be heavy rain, which may create flood situation in the district. While all the 22 blocks of Ganjam were affected by Phailin, Hud Hud may cover 11 blocks.

As many as 265 cyclone shelters in the district have been kept ready and owners of private institutions asked to vacate the buildings to accommodate people. The district administration would keep a watch on the areas which were hit by Phailin on October 12 last year. Phailin had claimed 15 lives.

On a priority basis, people will be first evacuated from five coastal blocks of Khallikote, Ganjam, Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda and Chikiti depending on the severity of the cyclone.

Four district level officials will oversee the relief and rescue preparations of seven blocks, nine urban local bodies (ULBs) and the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC).

In Berhampur, the MKCGMCH has made elaborate arrangements to deal with the situation. Superintendent of the MCH, Prof Ashok Behera, said a committee comprising heads of medicine, anaesthesia and surgery departments has been formed to provide uninterrupted services to people who would be affected in the calamity.

At Berhampur University, hostel boarders have been asked to vacate their rooms and staff directed to report on duty immediately. Classes will remain suspended till October 14.

Three ODRAF teams, which have already arrived in the district, will camp at Chhatrapur, Aska and Berhampur city. The BMC has removed all the high mast and street lights as a precautionary measure.

Slum dwellers will be evacuated to 50 relief centres on Saturday. BMC Commissioner Anjana Panda said of 163 slums in the city, 81 having a population of 50,000 are vulnerable. She added that 12 official teams have been formed to supervise facilities at the relief centres. Cooked food will be supplied to slum dwellers at these centres.