Kendrapada, Ganjam districts on high alert for Kyant

BERHAMPUR/KENDRAPARA: Three years have passed but the devastation caused by Phailin is still haunts people residing in the coastal areas of the state. The forecast about cyclone Kyant has only added to their worries.
"Ten houses were damaged in our village due to sea erosion during Phailin. We are very panicky on hearing that another cyclone is heading towards our area," said L Bhogaraju of Ramayapatna, a seaside village in Ganjam's Chikiti block.
Officials of the district administration said there is no reason to panic as a clear picture of its landfall is yet to emerge. Under its influence, the district may receive heavy rain, said a senior officer. "We will take precautionary measures after the picture become clear," he added.
However, the district administrations of Kendrapara and Jagatsighpur are on alert. These two district bore the brunt of the super cyclone in 1999. "The authorities are working with local sarpanchs and other panchayat body members to help people prepare for the cyclone in the seaside villages of Rajnagar, Mahakalapada and Rajkanika blocks," said collector (Kendrapada) Debendra Prasad Das. The government has advised people against visiting the seaside, added the collector.
The district administration has decided to evacuate about 1,200 villagers from Satabhaya, which is prone to sea erosion. "We are well aware of the brute force of sea and gale," said sarpanch of Satabhaya Nigamananda Rout.
In Paradip, regular coordination meetings are being held between the government and humanitarian agencies. "The government has asked rice mill owners and warehouses to keep the rice bags in safer places. Marine fishermen are advised to return to the coast immediately as the sea will be rough on Thursday," said additional district magistrate (Paradip) Biswajit Biswal.