ODRAF

Odisha's lessons in disaster management came to rescue

Odisha has 345 fire stations across the state covering all the blocks and the firemen are trained to work in all kinds of disasters. The ODRAF and fire services team were quick to set 53 light towers at the site considering the visibility problem in the night. Advanced plasma gas cutters were used to cut the train compartments and rescue passengers from inside.

Watch: Drone captures aerial shots of devastating Odisha train accident

IMD warns fishermen not to venture into Bay of Bengal from May 7

The India Meteorological Department has warned fishermen and ships not to venture into the southeast Bay of Bengal from May 7 onwards due to the possible formation of a cyclonic storm. The IMD has also cautioned tourists and travellers for Andaman and Nicobar Islands of possible bad weather conditions such as squally weather and heavy rainfall activity during May 8-11.

Cyclone likely in Bay of Bengal around May 9 : IMD

Keeping in view the weather development, the Odisha government has already put collectors of 18 coastal and adjoining districts and officials of 11 departments on the alert, its special relief commissioner Satyabrata Sahu said on Wednesday.

Cyclone Mocha: IMD predicts cyclonic storm brewing over Bay of Bengal

If it is a cyclone, it will be named Mocha, a name given by Yemen. Sources in IMD said some cyclonic storms formed in May over the past few years have had direct or indirect impact in Bengal. Hence, the Met office is working closely with the state government by updating its prediction on a regular basis.

Three killed, seven injured as goods train derails in Odisha; Railway min, CM announce ex-gratia

East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials said that the accident took place around 6.44 am when some people were waiting at the platform and the waiting hall for a passenger train.

Tropical cyclone approaches Odisha, Bengal; govt start mobilising resources to low-lying areas

The West Bengal government has initiated the process of evacuating people from low-lying areas in several districts, officials said. It has forecast heavy rain (7-11 cm) in the coastal districts of East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas on Monday, and heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) on Tuesday.

Flood fear looms over northern Odisha; alert issued in two districts

"Galudih barrage in Jharkhand has released 4.5 lakh cusec water through 16 gates. All panchayat functionaries, self help groups have been asked to help with evacuation operations in the vulnerable areas," Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.

East coast to receive heavy rain as 'Asani' may become depression

The weather system is likely to further lose steam and turn into a depression by Thursday morning, it said.

Cyclone Asani weakens, Odisha, West Bengal brace for heavy rain

The weather office had asked fishermen to suspend fishing operations in the region as sea condition is likely to be high over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal till Wednesday evening and very rough to rough over the same region thereafter Thursday.

Cyclone threat looms over east coast, Odisha on alert

The low-pressure area is very likely to move north-westwards and intensify into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, and into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director-General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said.

Disaster response teams on standby as Odisha braces for heavy rains

Director-General of Fire Services SK Upadhaya said all leaves of fire services personnel have been cancelled. Under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the South Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood, a low-pressure area has been formed. It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a depression in the next 48 hours, the weather office said.

Govt prepares for evacuation as cyclone is likely to reach Odisha coast on Dec 4

The forecast said that the low pressure area in south Andaman Sea will intensify into a depression and move towards the coast as a cyclonic storm on December 4 and the Coast Guard has initiated extensive pre-emptive measures in the eastern coast keeping it in view.

Cyclone Gulab likely to cross Andhra, Odisha coasts by midnight

The IMD had issued a red alert for these states. Ahead of cyclone alerts issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Odisha has begun the evacuation drive in the state.

Odisha rushes rescue teams to 7 districts, orders evacuation as IMD issues cyclone warning

As many as 42 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 24 squads of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with fire brigade personnel, have been dispatched to the seven districts -- Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal.

Yaas weakens into severe cyclonic storm three hours after making landfall

It weakened into a severe cyclonic storm over northeast Odisha, about 25 km west northwest of Balasore and 35 km south-southwest of Baripada in Odisha. It further weakened into a cyclonic storm at around 5.30 pm. Under the influence of high vertical wind over the region and weaker outflow in the upper levels, it was expected to weaken further into a deep depression, the IMD said.

Cyclone Yaas intensifies into very severe cyclonic storm; Eastern states evacuate more than 12 lakh people

It is very likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach near north Odisha coast close to Dhamra port by the early morning of Wednesday.

'Yaas' intensifies into cyclonic storm, likely to cross Odisha-Bengal coasts on May 26

'Yaas' is likely to cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands around noon on May 26 as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 155-165 kmph, Kolkata's Regional Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Sanjib Bandopadhyay said.

Prepare for worst-case scenario, evacuate on overdrive: NDRF chief s advice to states as cyclone Yaas brews

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in an update, said that cyclone Yaas is expected to cross West Bengal and north Odisha coasts by May 26 evening with wind speed of 155-165 kmph and gusting to 185 kmph.

NDRF, Odisha Fire Services Personnel to donate plasma for treatment of serious patients

As per the State's Health and Family Welfare Department, around 295 personnel including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force.(ODRAF) and Fire Services were found positive for COVID-19.

CM Naveen Patnaik orders evacuation of people as flood situation turns grim

Patnaik has asked the officials to remain on high alert in Baliapal, Bhoigari and Basta blocks in Balasore as the water level in Subarnarekha is rising.

Army and Air Force mobilizes troops, aircrafts for post Phailin salvage operations

The Indian Army has mobilised an engineering column comprising medical and signal entities from Bhubaneswar to Gopalpur in Ganjam District.

Don't panic over Cyclone Phailin: Naveen Patnaik tells people

Odisha CM Patnaik appealed to all sarpanches and other elected peoples' representatives to extend their assistance.