Motorboat services to Swabhiman Anchal got suspended from Monday to Thursday as Cyclone Murasu approaches. Collector Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke said, “All departments have been directed to remain on high alert.” Schools and anganwadi centres will close from Nov 2 to 5. Officials also stopped all tourism activities to ensure public safety.
Govt staff warn people against venturing into Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri district on Monday
Koraput: Motorboat services connecting Swabhiman Anchal with the mainland in Malkangiri district have been suspended from Monday to Thursday as a precautionary measure ahead of Cyclone Murasu. Motor launches operating from Chitrakonda ferry point are the major mode of communication for people of Panasput, Jantri and Andrahal panchayats in Swabhiman Anchal, a region surrounded by Balimela reservoir. The suspension of services is likely to affect the movement of people who depend on boats for their daily travel and essential needs. The district administration has also ordered closure of all schools and anganwadi centres during the cyclone period from Nov 2 to 5. These buildings, however, will be kept ready for use as temporary cyclone shelters, with their staff assigned emergency duties. Collector (Malkangiri) Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke said the administration initiated extensive precautionary measures to ensure minimum loss of life and property in view of the possible impact of the cyclone. “All departments have been directed to remain on high alert and take necessary steps to protect people, particularly those living in vulnerable and remote areas. People residing in low-lying, flood-prone and landslide-prone areas will be identified and shifted to safer locations whenever required,” he said. The administration has also suspended boating, water sports and other tourism activities at Satiguda, Chitrakonda and other tourist destinations in the district. All liquor shops will remain closed from Nov 2 to 4. Special arrangements have been made to shift pregnant women likely to deliver within the next 15 days to nearby primary or community health centres or the district headquarters hospital. Emergency medical teams, ambulances and mobile health units have been kept ready to respond to any eventuality. The administration has directed officials to keep JCBs and excavators ready in landslide-prone areas for immediate clearance of roads in case of blockages. Arrangements are also being made to regulate traffic at vulnerable roads, low-level bridges and other sensitive locations. Fishermen have been urged not to venture into water bodies, and farmers have been asked to harvest mature crops and vegetables at the earliest. Officials have been directed to remain at their respective headquarters and closely monitor the situation from Nov 2 to 5, the collector said. The district administration is following a zero-casualty approach and keeping emergency response teams on standby to deal with any eventuality, he added.