Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the state’s preparations on Sunday as a possible cyclonic storm named ‘Montha’ may affect several districts in southern Odisha. He held a high-level meeting with officials and spoke to the media about the current situation.

According to the minister, eight districts in southern Odisha are likely to face the most impact from the storm. These districts are Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. All these districts have been placed under the Red Zone category, which means they are considered high-risk areas.

However, Pujari stated that all 30 districts in the state, not only those in the Red Zone, have been put on alert. This is because the cyclonic system may change direction at any time. Officials have been instructed to stay ready to handle any emergency.

The minister shared that the weather system currently lies as a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal. It has been moving in a west-northwest direction at a speed of around 6 kilometres per hour during the last few hours. The system is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. 

Later, it may intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on the evening or night of October 28. Malkangiri district in Odisha is located only about 200 kilometres from the expected landfall location.

During the meeting, the minister discussed pre-cyclone preparations with Collectors from all districts. Even districts not directly affected must remain prepared to send additional support teams to neighbouring areas if required.
Pujari also mentioned that landslides have become a major concern in Odisha due to heavy rainfall in recent months. Therefore, district administrations have been told to identify hilly and landslide-prone areas and take safety measures in advance.

In Gajapati district, where the risk of landslides is high, teams from Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Services, and forest departments have already been deployed. Other departments, such as Energy, Health, and Water Resources, are also prepared to handle situations like power cuts, medicine shortages, waterlogging, and rising river water levels.

Fishing has been banned from October 27 to 31, and fishermen have already returned from the sea. People living in high-altitude areas like Mahendragiri in Gajapati district are being shifted to safer low-lying places. Collectors have been asked to complete evacuation from risky areas to cyclone shelters, schools, and community halls by 5 p.m. tomorrow.

A total of 128 rescue teams from ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire Services have been stationed across the eight vulnerable districts. The government has instructed strict action against black marketing of essential goods. School holidays have been announced in cyclone-prone districts, and leave for all government staff has been cancelled to ensure full manpower during the emergency.