Odisha: Scurry to safety ahead of cyclone

BERHAMPUR: The devastation caused by cyclone Titli in Ganjam and Gajapati three years ago is still fresh in the mind of people as they brace for another cyclonic storm, Gulab, which is hurling towards the coast.
Severe cyclonic storm Titli, which had made landfall in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on October 11, 2018 had wreaked havoc in Gajapati district, almost wiping out 20 villages, claiming at least 48 lives, leaving behind large-scale destruction of infrastructure facilities and rendering around 9,100 families homeless.At least 13 people were killed and infrastructure facilities damaged in Ganjam.
“We have alerted all the block-level officers to be ready to meet any eventuality,” said Ganjam district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange.
As Gopalpur is likely to be affected, the administration has closed all the beaches for the next two days and has asked fishermen not to ventur into the sea.
“We will start shifting pregnant women and elderly from Saturday evening. Those residing in low-lying areas will be shifted depending upon the situation,” Kulange said.
The Ganjam and Gajapati administrations have cancelled leave of all the employees.
“We have prepared to shift people in vulnerable points to safer places ,” said Gajapati district collector Lingaraj Panda. The district administration has identified 81 villages in 36 panchayats of five blocks as vulnerable.