Cyclone ‘Dana’: Naveen Patnaik appeals to people to cooperate with Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik Urges Public to Stay Calm and Take Precautions Ahead of Cyclone Dana

Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Wednesday urged citizens not to panic over Cyclone Dana and to take all necessary safety precautions. As the state braces for the impending storm, Patnaik emphasized that awareness and caution are crucial for minimizing risks. He called for the cooperation of residents with the state administration in handling the cyclone’s impact.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port early on Friday. Patnaik assured the public that Odisha has successfully faced numerous cyclones in the past, and the same resilience should be demonstrated once again. "Let’s take every precaution to stay safe this time too. Caring for ourselves and our loved ones is essential,” he stated.

Patnaik’s leadership in disaster management is widely recognized, especially since his administration's response to the devastating super cyclone of 1999, which claimed over 10,000 lives. He has since pursued a goal of "zero casualties" during natural disasters. Patnaik also urged elected representatives to stand by the people in this time of crisis, emphasizing the importance of community support during challenging times.

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed all MLAs to visit their respective constituencies to assist in the rescue and relief operations. In anticipation of the cyclone’s landfall, Majhi has assigned nine ministers to districts expected to be severely affected by Cyclone Dana. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo will be responsible for overseeing operations in Kendrapara district, where the cyclone is likely to make landfall, while another Deputy CM, Pravati Parida, will manage relief efforts in Puri district.

Other ministers have also been assigned to various districts, including Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena (Ganjam), Food and Civil Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra (Keonjhar), Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain (Jagatsinghapur), Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Nayak (Balasore), Sports Minister Suraj Suryabanshi (Bhadrak), and Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra (Mayurbhanj).

Additionally, the government has deputed six senior IAS officers—K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Trilochan Majhi, Balwant Singh, Vineet Bhardwaj, Yamini Sarangi, and Samarth Verma—to supervise cyclone management efforts in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara.

Odisha’s coordinated response showcases the government’s commitment to minimizing the impact of Cyclone Dana while ensuring the safety and welfare of its people.