BHUBANESWAR: As the threat from the severe cyclonic storm Fani looms large over nine coastal Odisha districts, chief minister Naveen Patnaik held a high-level review meeting in the secretariat on Wednesday evening.
After the meeting, the CM said a comprehensive plan was chalked out to tackle the cyclone.
“The state administration has prepared a comprehensive plan to tackle FANI. At least 8 lakh people will be evacuated by tomorrow evening. Women and physically-challenged will be evacuated on priority basis,” the CM said.
Mr Patnaik said the government was aiming to ensure zero casualties.
On Tuesday, the state government had sought two helicopters and additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Central government for evacuation of possible affected people to safety.
“We have requested the Cabinet secretary to station two helicopters for extra air-dropping, if required and additional NDRF teams as our primary task is evacuation,” Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi had told reporters after attending a review meeting.
The evacuation process will begin from morning of May 2, he said, adding people from low-lying areas will be evacuated to nearby cyclone shelters, schools and other safe places.
“It’s (Fani) not a super cyclone; it’s an extremely severe cyclonic storm. The maximum impact will be on Odisha as per the IMD’s prediction so far,” the Chief Secretary added.
The government advised the citizens not to worry and resort to panic buying.
