Warning signals hoisted at Paradip, Dhamra ports
Bhubaneswar: As the very severe cyclonic storm is coming close to Odisha, ports in the state hoisted Tuesday different warning signals. These signals are hoisted at ports to send warnings to approaching ships regarding cyclones as well as weather conditions. Signal No-10, the second highest level of warning. It has already been hoisted at Paradip and Dhamra ports in Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak districts respectively. Signal No-8 has been flashed at the ports of Astarang in Puri district and Goplapur in Ganjam district.
Naveen Patnaik reviews preparations, asks people to cooperate with state administration
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed Tuesday evening the present position and location of very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’. He also reviewed the preparations that have been taken to minimise the damage and also steps that are to be implemented in the aftermath of the storm. Patnaik conducted a meeting with officials of various departments on this issue through video conferencing.
393 teams of disaster personnel deployed for rescue and restore operations
Bhubaneswar: A total of 393 NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services and OFDC teams have been deployed in 12 districts to carry out rescue and restoration operations after very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ makes its landfall. Eight teams have also kept in reserve.
Restrictions imposed on movement of vehicles on NH-16
Jajpur: In view of the threat associated with the very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ the Jajpur district administration has prohibited vehicular movement on the National Highway-16. The prohibition will remain effective from May 25 midnight till 12 noon the following day. A large portion NH-16 passes through the district of Balasore.
DRDO well-prepared
Balasore: The Integrated Test Range (ITR) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) RDO has taken various measures to protect its facilities at Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, which are likely to be affected by cyclone ‘Yaas’, an official said Tuesday. A scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar earlier in the day said that landfall will most likely be between Dhamra and Chandbali in Bhadrak district.
Preparations almost complete
Chhatrapur: Ganjam district is on the verge of completing its preparations to mitigate the impact of the severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’. Pregnant women have been shifted to hospitals while evacuation of 90 per cent of the people living in low-lying areas have almost been completed, SRC Pradeep Kumar Jena informed Tuesday.
Port operations suspended
Paradip: The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) suspended its operations from 2.00pm Tuesday as part of safety measures. This has been done in view of the impending very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’. The storm is likely to cross Odisha coast May 26, an official said. At least 12 vessels from Paradip port proceeded to the deep sea so as to avoid the path of the storm. All trucks, dumpers and large cargo handling equipment in the port area havealso been taken to a safe zone, the official informed.
Evacuation in 7 districts
Bhubaneswar: Evacuation drive has been intensified in seven Odisha districts so far, in order to ensure ‘zero casualty’ as the very severe cyclonic storm approaches Odisha. So far 1,55,929 people living in low-lying areas of the seven districts have been shifted to cyclone shelters and safe homes. The districts where the evacuation has been done are Balasore (46,828), Bhadrak (72,970), Kendrapara (18,391), Mayurbhanj (3,200), Puri (3,500), Jagatsinghpur (9,122) and Jajpur (1,118).