More than 10,000 people were evacuated ahead of a missile test off the coast of Odisha.
Fishermen from Balasore and Bhadrak districts have been alerted not to go out to sea. Police in motor boats are patrolling along the coast around the clock.
Arpit Pattnaik
More than 10,000 people from villages near the integrated test range (ITR) off the Odisha coast have been temporarily relocated ahead of a missile test on Wednesday. The defense authorities, with the help of Balasore district administration, moved 10,581 people, including children and cattle, from 10 villages within a 3.5 km radius of the launching complex III of the ITR to cyclone shelters in nearby areas.
Specifically, 2127 people from Bardhanpur, 2725 from Jayadevkasaba, and 477 from Sahajanagar were relocated to Bardhanpur multipurpose cyclone shelter. Additionally, 1823 people from Bhimpur, 479 from Chhachina, and 41 from Domuhanpatana were relocated to Bhimpur multipurpose cyclone shelter. Furthermore, 391 people from Kantarda, 803 from Khadupahi, 408 from Tundara, and 1307 from Kusumuli were relocated to Kalamatia multipurpose cyclone shelter.
Officials have ensured that the shelters have adequate facilities and resources for the displaced persons, with police, medical, veterinary, and fire teams deployed to provide security, healthcare, and support. Additionally, the temporarily displaced individuals will receive Rs 300 each as compensation, an additional Rs 100 each for food, and Rs 100 per family for the food expenses of their cattle according to the revised guidelines.
Furthermore, fishermen in Balasore and Bhadrak districts have been warned not to venture out into the sea, with the deployment of motor boats for round-the-clock coastal patrols. The villagers are expected to remain in the shelters for at least 10 hours to ensure their safety as per the instructions by the defense authorities.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the experimental test of a new missile system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). If everything goes according to plan, the missile will be flight tested as scheduled.
