Coastal villages put on alert for cyclone Phethai

KENDRAPADA: The spectre of cyclone Phethai has been haunting seaside villagers of the coastal districts of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur with district administrations on Sunday issuing alerts to villagers and marine fishermen.
"The authorities have instructed block development officers of the seaside blocks of Mahakalapada and Rajnagar to evacuate the seaside villagers safer places," said Sambeet Satapathy, Kendrapada emergency officer.The coastal areas of the district are regularly hit by cyclones. Over 450 shelters in the seaside villages of both districts are prepared to accommodate people.
"About 2,000 fishermen of both the districts have returned from the sea," said Narayan Haldar, secretary of Odisha Masyajibi Forum.