Cyclone Titli: Odisha govt orders closure of schools, colleges

The Odisha government on Tuesday, October 10, ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres on October 10-11 in four districts of the state as a precautionary measure against Cyclone Titli.

It has been decided in the meeting chaired by the chief secretary that all schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur will remain closed on October 10 and October 11.

"Cyclonic storm Titli is likely to intensify further on October 10 and is expected to make a landfall near Gopalpur on October 11. Keeping in mind heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast, we have decided to declare holidays for schools and educational institutions in four districts from October 10," said Padhi.

He informed that the government will take a decision for closure of educational institutions in other parts of the state after monitoring the situation on Wednesday, October 10.

The Health Department has asked the officials to keep power back-up and generator sets ready at health facilities to meet any eventuality.

It also asked for a contingency plan for medical relief centre, which should be opened as early as possible.

The weather department said on Tuesday that a deep depression that has been present for some time over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm and is heading towards the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast. It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm.

According to report in NDTV, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi has directed officials to identify people living near the coast in Ganjam, Khordha and Puri districts, and move them to relief shelters. “Since damage to thatched huts is expected in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri, people living in kuccha houses who are likely to be affected by the cyclone shall also be evacuated,” said Sethi.

Sethi said fishermen along the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts have been asked not to venture into the sea, as per a Hindustan Times report. Around 300 motorboats are ready to assist rescue operations during possible floods on Wednesday, October 10 and Thursday, October 11, he added.

With IANS inputs