Odisha CM chairs meeting in anticipation of potential cyclone ‘Mocha’

Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, today in anticipation of a potential cyclone named ‘Mocha’ forming over the Bay of Bengal.

The Chief Minister emphasized the difficulty in determining the path of cyclones during the summer season, referencing Cyclone ‘Fani’ from 2019.

He instructed officials and departments to be prepared for any eventuality and advised the evacuation of people living in low-lying and vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters, if necessary.

The Chief Minister also directed the preparation of plans in advance for relief and restoration efforts after the cyclone.

The Chief Secretary was instructed to review the situation regularly, while the Special Relief Commissioner was asked to work in coordination with all departments.

Efforts will be made to ensure zero casualties during the calamity, according to Chief Secretary Pradip Kumar Jena.

Collectors have been alerted, and around 1000 cyclone shelters have been made available, with more safe places, including school buildings, identified. Control rooms have been set up after discussions with Collectors of 18 districts, according to Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu.

Seventeen NDRF and twenty ODRAF teams have been kept ready.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal after May 6, 2023. The agency stated that a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over Southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6, 2023. The system may intensify into a cyclone and affect areas between eastern India and Myanmar, according to international meteorologist Jason Nicholls.

Weather experts, however, have stated that a precise prediction about the path and intensity of the system can only be made after the low-pressure area forms. The system will be named Cyclone ‘Mocha’ if it becomes a cyclonic storm.