Cyclone Jawad: The Odisha government issues safety guidelines and declares 14 districts to be on high alert

New Delhi: On Thursday evening (December 2, 2021), the Odisha government issued guidelines to mitigate the effects of Cyclone Jawad. In light of the impending cyclonic situation, the state authorities intend to deploy 266 teams in coastal districts, including the NDRF, State Fire Services, and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), according to Pradeep Kumar Jena, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).

As the low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal continues to develop as a result of Cyclone Jawad, the Odisha government prohibited fishing activities by all types of fishing vessels (Mechanized, Motorized, and Non-Motorized Boats) within the territorial waters along the entire coastline of Odisha State and Chilika Lake from 3rd December 2021 to 5th December 2021 (both days inclusive) (3-days) to protect fishers’ lives and assets.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena stated, “While informing about the preparedness for Cyclonic Storm ‘JAWAD,’ “The state government is well prepared to deal with the new situation. 14 coastal districts have been put on alert and told to take all necessary precautions in the event of a cyclonic storm.”

“There will be more clarity on the situation as time passes. We intend to deploy a total of 266 teams, including NDRF, State Fire Services, and ODRAF. We have ordered the deployment of 24 NDRF teams, 158 State Fire Services teams, and 33 ODRAF teams in 10 coastal districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore, and we have reserved 10 NDRF teams, 14 Fire Services teams, and 27 ODRAF teams “Jena stated.

“We have asked the distrust administration to evaluate the people from low lying areas on time and to shift Cyclone shelters,” Jena added.

Furthermore, the ARD Department issued an order regarding the cyclonic storm, stating that “in view of the impending cyclonic storm ‘JAWAD,’ there is a need to restrict fishing activities along the entire coast of Odisha and Chilika Lake from December 3rd to December 5th, 2021.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday afternoon to review the preparedness of states, central ministries, and concerned agencies to deal with the situation arising from Cyclone Jawad’s possible formation, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister directed officials to take every possible precaution to ensure that people are safely evacuated and that all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health, drinking water, and so on are maintained and restored as soon as possible in the event of a disruption.

PM Modi also instructed them to ensure adequate storage of essential medicines and supplies, as well as to plan for unimpeded movement. He also oversaw the operation of control rooms 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure region in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Jawad, which is expected to reach the coast of north Andhra Pradesh – Odisha on Saturday, December 4, 2021, with wind speeds of up to 100 kmph.

Cyclone Jawad is expected to bring heavy rain to coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. IMD has been sending out regular bulletins with the most recent forecast to all concerned countries.

The Cabinet Secretary has met with the Chief Secretaries of all Coastal States and Central Ministries/Agencies involved to discuss the situation and preparedness.

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