32,000+ evacuated to shelters before missile test

Balasore

Ahead of a scheduled missile test from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district, around 32,000 residents were relocated to safe shelters on Wednesday, officials confirmed.

The evacuation covered six villages within a 2.5 km radius of ITR’s launch pad-3, where the test was set to take place. Early in the morning, the district administration shifted residents to three designated shelter centers to ensure their safety during the operation.

Authorities took extensive precautionary measures, including setting up temporary accommodations and providing necessary facilities at the shelters. These steps were taken as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety during the missile test, a revenue department official stated.

Once the evacuation was complete, ITR authorities conducted warning sirens to alert locals and signal readiness for the mission. The test range, known for strategic missile trials, follows strict safety protocols to prevent any potential risks to the surrounding population.

Missile tests at Chandipur are routine, with temporary evacuations being a standard procedure whenever high-profile tests take place. Residents in the area have experienced similar measures in the past and cooperated with authorities to ensure smooth execution of the mission.