Koraput, Nov 2: With cyclone Murasu intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm and likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast by November 3, the Koraput district administration has stepped up preparedness measures to minimise the potential impact of the approaching weather system.

According to the district administration, a total of 500 people have already been evacuated to permanent cyclone shelters as part of precautionary measures. The district has kept 506 shelters ready.

As part of emergency response arrangements, one Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team and one National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team are on their way to Koraput from Ganjam district. In addition, 14 fire service teams have been deployed across all 14 blocks of the district to respond to any emergency.

Special arrangements have also been made for vulnerable groups. As many as 94 pregnant women have been shifted to Maa Gruhas to ensure their safety and access to medical assistance.

Senior officers have been deployed at block and gram panchayat levels, while Sub-Collectors and Assistant Collectors have also been assigned responsibilities to oversee the preparedness measures.

A district-level control room is functioning round the clock to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency responses.

Also Read: Cyclone Murasu: Comprehensive arrangements in Ganjam, 2.94 lakh identified for evacuation

The administration has identified 120 vulnerable villages and habitations under 62 gram panchayats for active evacuation and precautionary measures. Officials are closely monitoring these areas to ensure the timely relocation of residents, wherever necessary.