Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], October 29 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi visited the control room at the Special Relief Commissioner's office to review the situation ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Montha.

Majhi reiterated the state government's preparedness in view of Cyclone Montha, saying that Odisha is not under threat yet and that people have been relocated to safe locations as a precautionary measure.

'We reviewed the graphical images of IMD in the control room regarding the ground situation of Cyclone Month..Odisha is not at much risk. All our teams are prepared for any situation. People have been shifted to safe places, and all arrangements have been made at the shelters,' he said.

The Chief Minister said that pregnant women, sick people, and the elderly are being cared for. Schools and Anganwadis have been closed, and the authorities are keeping a strict vigilance for the next 24 hours.

'Care is being taken for the elderly, seriously ill patients, and pregnant women. Complete arrangements have been made for food, water, and other essential items for the people. Schools and Anganwadis have been closed. In some places where trees fell, the roads were immediately cleared. We have instructed all collectors and officials to maintain strict vigilance for 24 hours,' he stated.

The Gajapati District Magistrate, Madhumita, also gave assurances and said, ' Due to continuous rain, landslides have occurred in several places. We cleared those areas this morning. To achieve our goal of zero casualties, 10,000 people have been relocated from sensitive areas. Pregnant women are also being taken care of. Our staff is actively working on the ground.'

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry reviewed preparedness measures for Cyclone Montha with senior officials of the eastern coastal States, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu, an official statement said.

Cyclone Montha, which made landfall on Tuesday night, has crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanan coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, to the south of Kakinada, the India Meteorological Department said. It turned into a severe cyclonic storm.

According to the latest IMD observation update at 12:30 am, the severe storm will weaken into a cyclonic storm over the next 6 hours.

Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area, characterised by swift, often destructive air circulation. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. (ANI)