Bhubaneswar: With a cyclonic storm brewing over southwest Bay of Bengal, the Odisha government on Saturday cancelled leaves of Agriculture officials in five districts from December 2-6.
The week-off (Sunday) of all field officials in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam, which are likely to experience very heavy rain under the influence of the system, has also been canceled. They have been directed not to leave the headquarters and those on leave have been asked to join back at the earlier, according to a notice.
The officials have been directed to remain alert during the warning period and sensitise the farmers on appropriate steps to protect paddy and other crops.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 11.30 am on Saturday, about 440 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 420 km southeast of Chennai, 540 km southeast of Nellore, 650 km south-southeast of Bapatla and 650 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. “It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours. Thereafter, it would move northwestwards and reach westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by December 4 forenoon. Thereafter, it would move nearly northwards almost parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during forenoon of December 5 as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.”
The cyclonic storm will be called ‘Michaung, a name suggested by Myanmar. It means strength and resilience. Upon formation, cyclone Michuang will become the fourth Bay of Bengal cyclonic storm and the sixth cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean in 2023.
Also Read: Odisha Braces For Heavy Rain, Squall As Cyclone ‘Michaung’ Brews Over Bay; Check IMD Warning
According to the IMD, rain is likely to resume in several districts of South Odisha on December 3 and the intensity is likely to increase in the next three days. Yellow warning has been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal from December 4-6.
Orange warning of very heavy rain has also been sounded for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam on December 5.
In view of the rainfall warning, the weather agency has warned of some damage to standing crops and vegetables, temporary waterlogging and some damages of kutcha road and possibility of wall collapse. Farmers have been advised to harvest matured paddy, ragi, millets & other crops, horticultural crops and vegetables by December 3 and keep them at safe places.
The weather agency has also warned of squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph from December 4 evening along and off Odisha coast (Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur). It is expected to gradually increase becoming 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from December 5 evening for subsequent 12 hours. Also, strong surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph is likely over Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts on December 5.
