Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: 7 Odisha Districts Put On Alert, Fishermen Asked To Return To Coast By Oct 22

Bhubaneswar: In view of the anticipated cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’, which is expected to form over westcentral Bay of Bengal around Octoebr 24, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) of Odisha on Wednesday asked collectors of seven districts of the state to remain alert.

The collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore have been asked to closely monitor the situation. “The administrative officials in the districts which will fall under the ‘Yellow and Orange’ warning category will have to be prepared to meet any waterlogging or localised flood-like situation, including in urban areas,” the notification said.

On Tuesday, the SRC held a preliminary review meeting in Bhubaneswar and discussed the preparations with the high officials of different departments and coastal districts. The DMs and officials of the districts, which are likely to be affected, were asked not to leave the headquarters for one week.

Also read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: Odisha Govt Asks DMs Not To Leave Headquarters For A Week

Notably, the MeT office also issued a heavy rainfall warning for three districts – Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur – on October 23. It has, however, made no forecast on its likely intensity, path and wind speed. However, the system in all probability is likely to bring heavy rain to the coastal districts of Odisha.

Also Read: Will Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Skirt Odisha Coast? No Weather Warning Till October 23 Morning

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic circulation over north Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood is likely to intensify into a low-pressure area over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. “It is likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression by 22nd morning over central Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours,” it added.

Under the influence of the anticipated cyclone system, squally wind with surface wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65kmph over deep sea areas of west-central adjoining north Bay of Bengal from October 22 and along and off Odisha coast from October 23.

Fishermen, who are in deep sea areas currently, have been advised to return to the coast by October 22.