Cyclone puts Odisha on high alert

The Odisha government put the collectors of 14 districts on high alert even though the IMD predicted that Cyclone Kyant is likely to move towards Andhra Pradesh coast. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik held a meeting to review the state’s preparedness even though Kyant is not expected to be as devastating as earlier cyclones such as Aila, Phailin and Hudhud. Mr Patnaik held discussions with collectors through video-conferencing. The chief minister directed the officials to be ready with their contingency plan for rescue and relief operation during the cyclone period. “As per IMD, cyclone Kyant is heading towards Andhra Pradesh. However, collectors of 14 districts have been asked to stay alert. They have also been asked to advise farmers to keep the harvested crops covered as rain is expected under the influence of the cyclonic storm. Government holidays have been cancelled,” informed special relief commissioner Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.