The Centre today said 5 lakh tonnes of foodgrains is kept ready for distribution to victims of high intensity cyclone Phailin, which is due to hit the east coast in the next few hours.
"We are ready with 5 lakh tonnes of foodgrains for distribution to cyclone-affected people in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha," Food Minister K V Thomas told reporters.
The foodgrains are available in government godowns in the respective states. "The centre and state governments are watching the situation. If more foodgrains are required, we will allocate," he said.
In Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, people living on the coastline are being shifted to emergency locations before the cyclone stroms hits the region.
Cyclone 'Phailin'--meaning sapphire in Thai language-- said to be one of the strongest cyclonic storms, is set to make a landfall this evening in Odisha's Gopalpur.
