Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: Odisha Deputy CM KV Singh Deo on Wednesday said that multiple departments in the state have been instructed to be on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall as Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall on October 24.

Speaking to ANI, KV Singh Deo said the responsibilities have been assigned to the Cabinet ministers to visit various districts where cyclone Dana is expected to have impact, to show the seriousness and the commitment of the state government.
"The responsibility given to the Cabinet ministers to go to the various districts, where this cyclone is expected to have some kind of an impact, shows the seriousness and the commitment of the state government that never before the earlier govt post a minister but left it to a bureaucrat.", he said.

Odisha Deputy CM further stated that ministers have also been given the responsibility of monitoring the restoration work.
"This time the ministers have also been given the responsibility of monitoring the restoration work. See, one minister, one district to give more accountability. Preparations are in full swing...We have adequate stocks in place in various districts to take care of any eventuality", he added.

Meanwhile, IMD Senior scientist Umashankar Das said the deep depression has further intensified into cyclone storm at 5.30 am on Wednesday.

"The deep depression has intensified further into cyclone storm today at 5.30 am. It is moving in the northwest direction with a speed of 15km/hour. It is 520 km south-east of Paradeep... We are anticipating that it may further intensify into a severe cyclone storm by the morning of October 24."

IMD Senior scientist further anticipated that cyclone Dana would make the landfall on midnight of October 24 to the early morning of October 25. The expected speed is 100-110 km/hour and gusting of 220km/hour.

"It is likely to cross North Odisha and West Bengal... the time of landfall is anticipated to be 24th midnight to the early morning of October 25 and the anticipated speed is 100-110 km/hour and gusting of 220km/hour... Rainfall of 7-20 cm may occur... A red warning has been issued for October 24 and 25... Fishermen are advised not to venture till October 25th...", he added.
ADG Law and Order, Sanjay Kumar said the state police force is prepared for cyclone Dana.

Kumar said, "We have deployed 60 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF). The team are fully equipped, well prepared and have all been deployed with the consultation of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) for different areas. The location of the forces would be dynamic. We will shift our troops from a lesser affected area to a highly affected area if required."

In preparation for the cyclone DANA, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in both states are on standby. Additionally, rescue and relief teams from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, along with ship and aircraft, have been placed on high alert.

(ANI)

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