By Alok Barik

Balasore: With discussions swirling in various media circles about a potential cyclone hitting Odisha around next week, the district administration has started preliminary preparations to shift people to safe places during the cyclone.

In view of this, residents of the district are also in a state of concern. To ensure people's safety at such a time, the public has strongly demanded that all cyclone shelters in the district be made operational right away.

Having faced the wrath of natural calamities like cyclones and floods a few years ago, the residents of Balasore are still haunted by those memories. With memories of the recent flood threat still fresh, locals are anxious as a potential cyclone approaches next week.

According to Meteorological Department forecasts, this cyclone system is likely to cross between Kakatpur or Paradip/Kendrapada and the Odisha-West Bengal coast, heading north-northwestward. This is expected to bring very heavy rainfall and strong winds, with gale-force speeds across the state. It is anticipated that Balasore and 6 other coastal districts of the state will be affected by this.

Network of Shelters in the District

Cyclone and flood shelters play a crucial role in keeping people safe during disasters. Keeping this in mind, a total of 145 cyclone and flood shelters have been constructed in the district.

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Among of these there are 100 multi-purpose cyclone shelters, 28 multi-purpose flood shelters, 12 Red Cross cyclone shelters, 5 new cyclone shelters. People are kept safely in these shelters during floods or cyclones, and free kitchen arrangements are also provided. Through this, the district administration is not only ensuring people's safety but also successfully executing zero-casualty goals.

According to the data, out of the 100 multi-purpose cyclone shelters: Balasore 26, Baliapal 25, Bhograi 12, Basta 1, Remuna 14, Bahanaga 18, Soro 4. Out of the 28 multi-purpose flood shelters: Balasore Sadar 4, Baliapal 5, Bhograi 6, Basta 3, Bahanaga 1, Simulia 2, Nilagiri 1.

Similarly, out of the 12 Red Cross cyclone shelters: Baliapal 5, Bhograi 4, Bahanaga 3, and out of the 5 new cyclone shelters: Balasore Sadar 4 and Bahanaga 1.

Public Demand and Administrative Action

The biggest issue, however, is that all these cyclone or flood shelters are not kept operational year-round. They receive attention only when a flood or cyclone threat arises, whereas people quickly forget their importance in normal times. Furthermore, the infrastructure of Red Cross cyclone shelters is currently in a weak condition.

Suspicions are rife that if this cyclone makes landfall on the Odisha coast, it could cause destruction similar to the 1999 super cyclone. Keeping the gravity of the potential cyclone in mind, locals have urged the district administration to activate these shelters right away. They noted that failing to prioritize these shelters and dumping people there at the last minute would cause the public to face various hardships.

In this regard, discussions were held with District Emergency Officer Chinmaya Kumar Rout. He stated that an emergency meeting has already been held by the district administration regarding the potential cyclone, where various topics were discussed. Emphasis has also been placed on making the cyclone and flood shelters operational. Since flood-like conditions recently occurred in the district, all flood and cyclone shelters were already activated and remain in operational condition. However, he added that even greater emphasis will be laid upon them.