Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising from heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal and directed officials to maintain constant monitoring and ensure the highest level of preparedness to protect lives and property.

The review meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.

Focus on Zero Casualty

During the meeting, the Special Relief Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on the weather system, expected rainfall and steps taken by the government.

Chief Minister Majhi stressed that “zero casualty” should remain the government’s guiding principle during natural disasters. He directed all departments to coordinate with district administrations and ensure timely evacuation of people from waterlogged areas and provide necessary relief.

Although there is no possibility of a cyclone, the Chief Minister directed authorities to maintain the highest level of preparedness and take all precautionary measures.

33 ODRAF Teams Deployed

A total of 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across vulnerable districts. Six teams each have been deployed in Ganjam and Koraput, three each in Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada, two in Kalahandi and one in Balangir. Nine additional teams have been kept in reserve at Chhatrapur in Ganjam.

District and block emergency operation centres have been directed to remain operational 24×7, while shelters, essential food, drinking water and sanitation supplies are being kept ready. NDRF and Fire Services teams, rescue boats, life jackets and power boats have also been prepared.

Deep Depression to Cross Coast Tonight

According to the weather assessment presented at the meeting, the deep depression was located around 150 km south of Gopalpur at 5:30 am on Wednesday. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by Wednesday night.

The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts.

Red, Orange and Yellow Warnings

Red warnings have been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam. Orange warnings are in force for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.

Yellow warnings have been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur and Boudh.

Authorities are maintaining real-time monitoring of rainfall, waterlogging, reservoirs, power and drinking water supply, while the Water Resources Department is monitoring river and reservoir levels and vulnerable embankments.

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Heavy rainfall continued across Odisha under the influence of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, prompting the state government to intensify disaster preparedness and monitoring.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and reviewed preparedness with Collectors of several affected districts. He stressed advance warning, preparedness and swift response to protect lives and property.

Deep Depression Likely to Cross Coast Tonight

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal was moving westward at around 12 kmph. As of 5:30 am on September 23, it was located near 18.0°N and 84.7°E.

The system is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam, by the night of September 23.

Red and Orange Alerts Issued

Red warning has been issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri from 8:30 am on September 23 to 8:30 am on September 24. Orange warning is in place for Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam.

Koraput recorded the highest district rainfall of 93.3 mm, while Similiguda received 230.2 mm during the period.

33 ODRAF Teams Deployed

A total of 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across vulnerable districts, including six each in Ganjam and Koraput. Nine additional teams have been kept in reserve at the ODRAF unit in Chhatrapur, Ganjam.

Fishermen Advised to Stay Away

Squally winds of 55–65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, are expected over the sea. Local warning signal number three has been hoisted at all Odisha ports. Fishing activities near the Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts have been prohibited until September 24.

Authorities are maintaining 24×7 monitoring, preparing shelters and essential supplies, and keeping rescue boats, life jackets and power boats ready. Departments including Water Resources, Health, Energy, Agriculture and Rural Development have been directed to remain alert.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday chaired the State-Level Natural Calamity Committee (SLNCC) meeting and emphasized the need to further strengthen the state’s disaster management framework, reaffirming the government’s commitment to its “Zero Casualty” policy.

The high-level meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, senior government officials, MPs, MLAs, and representatives from various departments.

Focus on Disaster Preparedness

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said Odisha has developed a robust and nearly foolproof disaster management system over the years, earning recognition both nationally and internationally. He stressed that maintaining and continuously improving this system remains a top priority for the government.

Several key decisions were taken during the meeting to enhance the state’s preparedness for natural disasters and ensure effective response mechanisms in the future.

El Niño Concerns and Agriculture Preparedness

With forecasts indicating the possible impact of El Niño leading to below-normal rainfall this year, the Chief Minister directed the Agriculture Department to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan. He instructed agriculture, irrigation, and other related departments to work in close coordination under a “Whole of Government” approach to minimize any adverse impact on the Kharif crop season.

A state-level monitoring mechanism has been put in place to track rainfall, water levels, crop planning, and the availability of seeds and fertilizers. District collectors have also been asked to closely monitor fertilizer supplies and maintain adequate stocks of nano urea to address any shortages caused by potential global supply disruptions.

Measures to Prevent Fertilizer Black Marketing

The government has directed authorities to keep a close watch on fertilizer distribution amid concerns of global shortages due to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Vigilance committees have been formed at the panchayat level to prevent black marketing and ensure farmers receive fertilizers without disruption.

Odisha’s ‘Zero Casualty’ Model Praised

The Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s globally acclaimed disaster management practices and noted that the state’s “Zero Casualty” approach has become a model for disaster risk reduction. He also mentioned that Odisha’s disaster preparedness system received appreciation during the recent BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group technical meeting held in Puri.

Lessons from Recent Cyclones

Majhi cited the successful management of Cyclone Montha and earlier Cyclone Dana as examples of Odisha’s preparedness. During Cyclone Montha, which affected 11 districts, nearly 38,000 people were safely evacuated from vulnerable areas.

The evacuation and relief operations involved 33 ODRAF teams, five NDRF units, and 123 Fire Services teams, helping restore normalcy in record time.

₹6 Lakh Grant for Each Cyclone Shelter

To strengthen disaster infrastructure, the government has allocated an annual maintenance grant of ₹6 lakh for each of the state’s 911 multi-purpose cyclone and flood shelters. The funds will be used to ensure the availability of drinking water, lighting, cooking facilities, and other essential services.

Improved Early Warning and Communication Systems

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of providing accurate and timely information to the public during disasters. He directed officials to utilize television, social media platforms, and mobile communication systems to counter rumours and disseminate verified information.

The state’s emergency response infrastructure, including the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based SMS warning system, 24-hour emergency control rooms, and the 112 helpline service, remains fully operational.

Expansion of Emergency Response Forces

Odisha currently has 20 ODRAF teams and 347 fire stations equipped with modern rescue equipment. The process of creating 10 additional ODRAF units is underway to further strengthen the state’s emergency response capabilities.

Commitment to Protect Lives and Livelihoods

Concluding the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that protecting the lives and livelihoods of people remains the government’s foremost priority. He called for greater coordination among departments and active public participation to maintain Odisha’s leadership in disaster management and preparedness.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari also highlighted Odisha’s achievements in disaster response and relief operations, stating that the state has set a benchmark for effective disaster management through careful planning and timely intervention.

Public representatives present at the meeting offered several suggestions based on ground realities in their constituencies. The Chief Minister assured that valuable recommendations would be considered while strengthening the state’s disaster management strategy.

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