Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu’s scheduled three-day visit to Odisha has been postponed in light of the potential impact of Cyclone Dana, which is expected to affect the state’s coastal regions.
The Odisha government, considering the risks posed by the approaching cyclone, informed the President’s Secretariat and the Union Home Ministry about the postponement. While no alternative dates or arrangements have been announced yet, the decision was made to prioritize safety amid the adverse weather forecast.
President Murmu was initially set to visit several key locations in Odisha, including Mayurbhanj, Puri, and Bhubaneswar. Her itinerary included a visit to her native village in Mayurbhanj on October 23, participation in the 75th annual celebration at the Gopabandhu Ayurvedic College in Puri on October 24, and attending the 40th annual convocation of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar on October 25.
However, due to the cyclone’s potential impact on Odisha’s coastal districts, the state government expressed concerns over the logistical and administrative challenges the storm might pose. These concerns led to the communication with central authorities and the eventual postponement of the visit.