Odisha on alert over impending cyclone

Sixteen districts in Odisha have been put on high alert, by the Odisha government, in view of the formation of a depression over the north Andaman Sea, which could well turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 72 hours.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after returning from New Delhi said the government was prepared in case a cyclonic storm hit Odisha. The storm would be termed Hudhud .

In addition to all coastal districts, collectors of Mayurbhanj, Malkanagiri, Koraput, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Jajpur, were asked to stay prepared for coping with the extreme weather conditions.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a depression formed over the north Andaman Sea and lay centred about 250 km east-southeast of Long Island. It would move west-northwestwards, intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and subsequently into a cyclonic storm.

“It would cross the Long Island, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,by Wednesday morning. Thereafter, the system would continue to move west-northwestwards for some more time and then northwestwards towards north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during subsequent 72 hours,” it said.

Deputy relief commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said, “Although the IMD has not informed us about the specific place where the storm is expected to make landfall, or the expected wind speed with which the storm would cross the coast — we are making every possible effort to deal with the cyclonic storm.”

According to S.C. Sahu, Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, “The State would witness a clearer sky and light drizzle till the afternoon of October 9. But after this, spells of heavy rain are expected.”

The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force units have been asked to move to coastal areas while the Emergency Control Room at the district level would remain open on a 24-hour basis. A detailed action plan would be chalked out after a high level meeting, which is expected to be held on Wednesday.

Content Courtesy: The Hindu