Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: Odisha Govt Asks DMs Not To Leave Headquarters For A week

Bhubaneswar: With India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecasting likely formation of a cyclone in Bay of Bengal after October 22, the state government has put the district administrations on alert.

Following the IMD forecast, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) held a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The SRC discussed the preparation for the preliminary precautionary measures with the high officials of different departments and coastal districts.

Following the meeting, the district magistrates and senior officials of coastal areas have been asked not to leave their respective headquarters for one week, an SRC press release stated.

The government is keeping a close watch on development of cyclone and taking every possible step to deal with the emergency situation, it said. Earlier, the state government had cancelled the leave of its employees in the coastal areas.

Director General of IMD Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told the media that the depression over central Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify further into a cyclone over westcentral Bay of Bengal after October 22.

“No forecast has yet been made on its intensity and the state it would hit. A clear picture would emerge after formation of low pressure and subsequent depression,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the IMD said, “Yesterday’s cyclonic circulation over south Andaman Sea and neighbourhood lay over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood at 3 am on October 18. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 48 hours. It is likely to move west-northweswards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over central Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over west-central BoB subsequently.”

Also Read: Landfall At Digha Or Odisha’s Balasore: Check Track Of Possible Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ In Bay Of Bengal