Bhubaneswar,October 10: Taking note of the very severe Cyclone Titli approaching the state, Odisha government today geared-up for the ‘Zero Casualty’ target.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the State Secretariat here today to take stock of Cyclone ‘Titli’ alert preparedness in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered officials of all the concerned departments to take all possible steps to achieve the ‘Zero Casualty’ target after Cyclone ‘Titli’ makes landfall in the state.

Besides, he directed for closure of all schools, colleges and Anganbadi centres for two days (October 11 and 12) across the state.

Patnaik also held a meeting with the Special Relief Commissioner at the latter’s office along with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, development commissioner, senior officials of concerned departments in the evening and took stock of the measures taken to tackle the cyclone successfully. He also reviewed the position of reservoir and asked the authorities to closely monitor the situation.

“Till now 3 lakh people have been evacuated as cyclone Titli is likely to make landfall at 5 am tomorrow,” said Patnaik.

The Chief Secretary informed that 10 units of NDRF and 8 units of ODRAF have been kept well-prepared to be deployed while the State Government is in constant touch with the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy and Army for emergency aid during and in the aftermath of the Cyclone ‘Titli’.

All the cyclone-prone districts have been placed on high alert and in complete preparedness to meet any emergency, he added.

Meanwhile, Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sundara Narayana Patro appealed to the people not to go for panic buying of essential commodities.

Patro said he had instructed all district collectors to keep a tab on the market as a section of traders are allegedly attempting to hoard essential items.

“The government will take stringent action against the hoarders. There are sufficient food materials in the state and the people should not go for panic buying in view of the cyclone,” he said.