Rayagada on red alert: Admin proacts ahead of impending cyclone; leaves cancelled, 84 shelters readied
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, October 24: With an impending cyclone threatening heavy rainfall and storm conditions across the region, Rayagada district administration has mobilised emergency machinery to safeguard life and property. Chairing a virtual high-level preparatory review meeting on last Saturday, Rayagada Collector and District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni directed all line departments to remain on maximum alert, execute preemptive disaster mitigations, and ensure zero casualties.
To mount an immediate ground response, 24×7 emergency control rooms have been made operational across all blocks of the district. All leaves of administrative and field personnel have been summarily cancelled, requiring staff to report to their respective headquarters. Collector Kulkarni directed officials to submit rainfall updates every two hours to relay real-time advisories to the public. Field functionaries have also been tasked with reinforcing vulnerable breach points and completing minor repairs in pre-identified sensitive villages. Depending on weather severity and IMD bulletins, local authorities will take immediate calls on declaring holidays for schools and anganwadi centres.
To avert flooding crises and ensure swift evacuations three motor power boats have been stationed across vulnerable riverine stretches at Kalyansinghpur, Gudari and Gunupur. Three permanent multipurpose flood shelters—located at Hataseskhal (Rayagada), Bikrampur (Gunupur) and Kutraguda (Bissam Cuttack)—along with 84 designated temporary cyclone shelters have been fully activated. Specialized rescue units comprising ODRAF, Odisha Fire and Emergency Services and NDRF are being positioned across Rayagada, Gunupur, and Bissam Cuttack blocks.
The Minor Irrigation (MI) division has been entrusted with ensuring cooked food and dry rations at all active shelters. Urban local bodies (ULBs) and their Executive Officers have been instructed to clear major drains and maintain sanitation to prevent urban waterlogging. River and reservoir gauge stations have been put on round-the-clock watch to report approaching danger levels. In a proactive healthcare intervention, the health administration has been directed to identify severe pregnant women due for delivery in the coming weeks and shift them to Maa Gruhas (Maternity Waiting Homes) ahead of the storm. Hospitals across the district have set up dedicated emergency control rooms, stocked ample reserves of essential drugs, IV fluids, and anti-snake venom (ASV). To protect inpatient critical care during anticipated power outages, all medical facilities have been ordered to keep functional generator backups fully fueled. Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni appealed to citizens to remain calm and avoid panic, assuring that the administration has made comprehensive preparations. Residents have been urged to monitor verified weather alerts, follow safety guidelines, and cooperate with evacuation squads. For round-the-clock assistance and emergency distress reporting, the public can contact the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) through:
Landline: 06856-224082 /06856-224062 & Toll-Free Helpline: 1077.
