DHAKA: The Phailin cyclone, that has brought Odisha bitter memories of a similar 1999 disaster that killed 10,000 people, is apprehended to hit landfall at Gopalpur Saturday evening.

The sea has turned turbulent forcing the fishing vessels that had ventured into the deep sea to return, while authorities are busy trucking thousands of villagers from their mud and thatch coastal homes to government shelters inland.

Indian army, navy, air force and NDRF personnel are ready to move out in the state.

GOC Madhya Bharat, Lt Gen Ramesh Rana, who was coordinating rescue and relief operations said, ‘While some columns are already moving, other columns from the Eastern and Central Commands are on standby’, reports Hindustan Times.

An army engineering column, comprising signal and medical teams were positioned at Gopalpur.

Gen Rana said the army would synergise efforts of the NDRF, ODRAF, army and work in cooperation with them.

BDST: 2116 HRS, OCT 12, 2013
RoR/RIS