Parlakhemundi: After the directions of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the district administration in Gajapati district have swung into action to shift people from flood-prone regions to safer places.
Gajapati district was the most hit during Titli. So, the district administration left no stones unturned to avoid any kind of casualty this time.
Taking note of the movement of the cyclonic storm Phethai towards Kakinada coast of Andhra Pradesh, the district administration evacuated around 11,600 people from low-lying areas of seven blocks in the district to 174 cyclone shelters. Efforts are on to evacuate the remaining people.
Heavy rainfall is expected to hit six districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati and Kalahandi.
Gajapati being close to Andhra Pradesh, the district administration has taken the pre-emptive measures by evacuating the people from the low lying areas to the cyclone shelters, he added.
As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it has started raining in most parts of south and western Odisha.
PNN
