10.10.2014
Press Release
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “HUDHUD”
Status of Preparedness by Government of Odisha
 As per the latest information from IMD, the severe cyclonic storm HUDHUD lay
centred about 630 km south-southeast of Gopalpur at 02.30 hrs today (10.10.14).
The system is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm today and make
landfall around Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh by forenoon of 12th October,
2014.
 Maximum sustained surface wind speed due to the system is likely to be 130-140
km gusting to 155 km.
 Unconventionally, this time the southern-most districts of Odisha are going to be
affected by a cyclone although wind speed, after landfall of the system in AP, is
likely to be reduced substantially. However, very heavy to extreme rainfall is
expected in south Odisha districts. Besides, other coastal districts may also get
heavy rainfall.
 Detailed instructions were issued by the Government to the Collectors and all
concerned Departments for taking required preparedness measures.
 All the Departments have already prepared their preparedness plans and geared
up preparedness activities.
 The Collectors have already held meetings with officers of different departments
and completed their preparedness.
 Keeping in view that the southern districts are likely to be more affected by wind,
heavy rain and consequent flood, Collectors of 8 districts namely Malkangiri,
Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Kandhamal
have been asked to carefully assess and evacuate all vulnerable population to
safe buildings. Free kitchens will be opened to provide hot meal at such shelter
places besides drinking water and lighting arrangement. The evacuation will start
today.
 15 units of NDRF and 10 teams of ODRAF have been deployed in districts likely
to be affected by the cyclone and associated flood. One NDRF team has been
kept in reserve. Out of these, 4 units of NDRF have been diverted from the NDRF
Battalion Kolkata. The teams have started moving to their locations from
yesterday.
 The deployment is as follows:
1.
2.
Malkangiri
Koraput
- 2 Units
- 2 Units
3.
Rayagara
- 1 Unit
4.
Gajapati
- 2 Units
5.
Kandhamal
- 2 Units
6.
Puri
- 2 Units
7.
Ganjam
- 3 Units
8.
Nayagarh
- 1 Unit
9.
Khurda
- 2 Units
10. Kendrapara
- 1 Unit
11. Jagatsinghpur - 1 Unit
12. Bhadrak
- 1 Unit
13. Balasore
- 1 Unit
14. Mayurbhanja - 1 Unit
15. Jajpur
- 1 Unit
16. Nawarangapur - 1 Unit
17. Cuttack
- 1 Unit
18. Reserve
- 1 Unit
 These teams will assist the administration in carrying out search, rescue and
evacuation operations. The Fire Service units will also be associated in the search,
rescue and evacuation operations.
 These forces/ teams are well equipped with tree cutting and road clearing
equipment. After the cyclone, they will also take part in clearing the roads.
 14 satellite phones have been obtained from Govt. of India and provided to the
Collectors of different districts and key officers at State level.
 Today, mock drill is being conducted in all the 323 Multi-purpose Flood / Cyclone
Shelters in the State with active participation of community. Various emergency
equipment provided to the cyclone shelters including Generator, Water Pump,
Inflatable Tower Light and Mechanized Tree Cutters, etc. shall be test-checked in
course of the drill and steps shall be taken for repair of defective ones.
 Water Resources Department are monitoring the reservoir level of all dams and
MIPs and has taken steps to reduce the storage, wherever necessary, to manage
the flood situation.
 Availability of rice for relief distribution has been ensured by the Food Supplies &
Consumer Welfare Department. Dry food like chuda and gur has also been
organized.
 Availability of adequate POL has also been ensured in the areas likely to be
affected by the cyclone and flood.
 The Department of Rural Development and Housing & Urban Development
Department has made necessary arrangements for supply of safe drinking water
in the affected areas. Measures have been taken to run the pumps with
generators in the absence of electricity. Besides, adequate arrangement has also
been made for supply of portable water through tankers and in pouches.
 RW&SS is ready with the following materials:
o Syntex Tank – 800
o Water Tanker-6
o Bleaching Powder-1500 bags of 25 kgs each
o Calcium hypochlorite-1250 kg
o Water pouch- 7 lakh
o Mobile vans for repair work-120 more will be engaged, if required
o DG sets-28 (More will be hired, if required)
o POL for 7 days
 Similar arrangements have also been made by PHD.
 Adequate stocks of required medicines with arrangements for deployment of
mobile medical teams have been made by the Health & Family Welfare
Department.
 Advance arrangement has been made to take care of cattle health and for timely
supply of cattle feed for the affected cattle population.
 Arrangement for immediate restoration of road communication and power supply
has also been made by the concerned Departments. Steps have already been
taken for pre-positioning of men and materials at strategic locations in the
respective districts.
 The Government have cancelled the holidays on 11.10.2014 (2nd Saturday) and
12.10.2014 (Sunday) during which all offices of the State Government including
PSUs will remain open. Control rooms have been opened in different
departments, heads of departments and the district offices.
 The status of preparedness was reviewed by the Chief Secretary in a high level
meeting at 5.30 PM today.
 Cabinet Secretary of Govt. of India reviewed the situation through video
conferencing with the Chief Secretary at 3.00 PM today. Secretaries of different
Ministries, Director General Meteorology of IMD and other officers were present
with the cabinet secretary during the video conferencing.
 Hon’ble Chief Minister took a video Conferencing with the Collectors of 7 districts
namely Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarngpur, Gajapati, Ganjam and
kalahandi and reviewed the situation.
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