Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: Odisha Govt Cancels Leave Of Employees For 3 Days, Emergency Meeting Today

Bhubaneswar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting formation of a cyclone in west-central Bay of Bengal after October 22, the Odisha government on Tuesday cancelled the leave of its employees in the districts likely to be affected by the possible storm.

They have been asked not to move out of the headquarters from October 23 to 25, official sources said.

Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in-charge would convene a crucial meeting at 4 pm to discuss disaster mitigation and preparations to tackle any possible threat.

Also Read: IMD Predicts Possibility Of Cyclone In West-Central Bay Of Bengal

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.”

The system will be named as ‘Sitrang’ if it intensifies into a cyclonic storm.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Likely To Form In Bay After Oct 22; Know Who Named It & What It Means