Bhuvneshwar: Rainfall begins in Odisha districts, Holidays cancelled, Anganwadi closed. To know, “Is it a government or bank holiday today or tomorrow?” visit our homepage.

Why holidays cancelled in Odisha?

Bhuvneshwar: The impact of Cyclone Montha may be felt in southern states on Tuesday. The government has made preparations for this. Bhubaneswar: The Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Montha. According to the IMD, the cyclone is centered about 860 kilometers from Gopalpur and 710 kilometers from Kakinada. The cyclone is expected to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of Tuesday, October 28.

Although Cyclone Montha is not expected to directly impact Odisha, heavy rainfall is expected in the southern and coastal districts of the state from October 28 to 29. Rainfall is expected to begin on Monday, and the government is taking proactive steps to mitigate its impact.

The government has activated its disaster response mechanism and has prepared a comprehensive preparedness plan for the cyclone. To ensure the safety of those living in vulnerable areas, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has deployed 128 teams to facilitate timely evacuation. To maintain essential services and effectively monitor the situation, the government has directed officials and employees in nine districts to remain on high alert as rainfall begins in Odisha districts.

Leaves of officials and employees in several districts cancelled

The Odisha government on Sunday intensified preparations to deal with the potential impact of Cyclone Montha and ensure a coordinated response across the state. The Energy Department has been directed to maintain uninterrupted power supply and backup systems to ensure the continuity of essential services such as hospitals, emergency operations, and drinking water facilities as Rainfall begins in Odisha districts.

Special attention is being paid to evacuating vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and pregnant mothers, to safer locations. The Odisha government on Sunday announced the temporary closure of Anganwadi centers in eight southern and southwestern districts on October 28 and 29, 2025, as a precautionary measure in view of the impending impact of Cyclone Montha. Anganwadi centers and schools in Ganjam district will be closed on October 27 and 28.

Anganwadi centers will be closed for two days

According to an official letter issued by the Women and Child Development Department, all Anganwadi centers (AWCs) in the IMD red alert districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur will be closed for two days as rainfall begins in Odisha districts.

Strict warning against hoarding and black marketing

Issuing a strict warning against hoarding and black marketing, the minister said, “If anyone tries to take advantage of this critical situation by hoarding or black marketing essential commodities, strict and stringent action will be taken.”

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari held a high-level review meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office on Sunday. It assessed preparedness measures in potentially affected areas. Eight districts – Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Ganjam – have been placed in the red zone, where heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected as per IMD.

Other districts, including Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur, may also face adverse weather conditions. NDRF teams are being dispatched from Mundali, Cuttack, to the following districts in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

1. Malkangiri
2. Koraput
3. Gajapati
4. Kandhamal
5. Rayagada
6. Gajapati
7. Kandhamal
8. Rayagada

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