States » EastPosted at: Nov 2 2026 6:27PM


Odisha steps up evacuation in southern districts ahead of cyclone Murasu

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2 (UNI) Nearly 2,900 people, including 240 pregnant women, have been evacuated in Koraput and Kandhamal districts as Odisha steps up preparedness for severe cyclonic storm Murasu, which is moving towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast, said officials of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office here on Monday.
While around 500 people, including 94 pregnant women, have been shifted to safer locations in Koraput, another 2,394 people, including 146 pregnant women, have been evacuated to 35 shelters in Kandhamal.
In neighbouring Gajapati, the administration has kept 512 alternative shelters and six permanent cyclone and flood shelters ready, with a combined capacity of around 35,000 people. Medical teams are on standby, and officials have been deployed at block and panchayat levels. Water levels in the Vamsadhara and Mahendratanaya rivers are being closely monitored. Schools and anganwadi centres remain open, with a decision on closure to be taken based on weather forecasts.
Koraput has readied 506 shelters, of which three in Kotpad, Borigumma and Laxmipur have been made operational. One ODRAF and one NDRF team are being moved from Ganjam to the district, while 14 fire service teams have been deployed across its blocks.
The administration has identified 120 vulnerable villages across 62 gram panchayats for precautionary measures. As many as 64 JCB machines have been deployed to clear road blockages, and shelters have been stocked with medicines, drinking water, cooked food, and other essentials, besides being equipped with electricity and toilets. The district recorded an average rainfall of 4.73 mm till 2 pm on Monday, with no significant wind impact.
In Kandhamal, one Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team, two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams stationed at G Udayagiri and Raikia, and nine fire service teams have been kept ready. The administration has identified 62 vulnerable habitations across 18 gram panchayats and deployed 37 JCB machines to clear roads. All 12 blocks have been equipped with standby generators, water tankers and essential supplies. The district recorded an average rainfall of 7.58 mm till 8 am on Monday, with no significant wind impact.
Control rooms are operational in all three districts, with senior officials monitoring the situation and coordinating preparedness and emergency response measures.
UNI MK RSA
Tags: #Odisha steps up evacuation in southern districts ahead of cyclone Murasu
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