Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday convened a cabinet meeting as cyclonic storm "DANA" over the east-central Bay of Bengal advanced further and is likely to hit the Odisha coast on October 24, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm.

Majhi has already directed ministers to oversee cyclone management in districts likely to be affected by Cyclone Dana.

As per the Chief Minister's directive, Industry Minister Sampad Chandra Swain will supervise Jagatsinghapur district, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Nayak will oversee Balasore, Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryavamsi will be deputed to Bhadrak, and Urban Development Minister K.C. Mohapatra will supervise Mayurbhanj district.

Deputy Chief Minister Parida and K.V. Singhdeo will take charge of Puri and Kendrapara districts, respectively. Commerce & Transport Minister B.B. Jena will oversee Ganjam district, Food & Civil Supplies Minister K.C. Patra will move to Keonjhar, and Works & Law Minister Prithivraj Harichandan has been entrusted with Cuttack district.

Meanwhile, IMD sources on Wednesday reported that the cyclonic storm "DANA" (pronounced Dana) over the east-central Bay of Bengal moved northwestward at a speed of 15 km/h over the past six hours, and at 0830 hours, was centered over the same region, about 520 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 600 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal), and 610 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

It is very likely to continue moving northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the early morning of October 24. It is expected to cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha), during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, with wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h.

The Odisha government has assigned six senior IAS officers to supervise cyclone preparedness, as well as relief and rescue operations, in six of the most vulnerable districts likely to be affected by Cyclone Dana.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has asked all MLAs to remain in their constituencies to oversee cyclone preparedness, relief, and rescue operations.

The state government has declared the closure of all educational institutions for three days in 14 districts expected to be affected by Cyclone Dana.

An action plan for the deployment of NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services has already been initiated in the likely affected areas. Official sources report that 51 ODRAF teams and 178 Fire Services teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts, with an additional 40 Fire Services teams stationed at strategic locations.

The government has mobilized 20 NDRF teams, 19 of which have already been deployed, while one team remains in reserve.

Five NDRF teams, airlifted from Bhatinda, reached Bhubaneswar on Tuesday night. The Odisha government has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide one helicopter for relief and rescue operations.

All leaves for government officials, including doctors, have been canceled from October 23 to October 25. Distance Cautionary Signal No. 1 has been hoisted at ports across the state, and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until October 26.

The Indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert and requested to mobilize vessels and aircraft in case of any emergency.

Cyclone shelters are ready, and the state government has instructed district collectors to finalize evacuation plans and make necessary arrangements to relocate people from low-lying and other vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has asked officials to ensure zero casualties during the landfall of Cyclone Dana and urged the public not to panic, assuring them that the state government is fully prepared to handle the cyclonic storm.

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