Low Pressure To Turn Into Depression By Dec 2; Odisha SRC Issues Advisory

Bhubaneswar: With the IMD predicting a low pressure by November 30, which is expected to concentrate into depression over south-east and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal by December 2 and build up into a cyclone, the Odisha government on Sunday put all district collectors on alert asking them to closely monitor the situation.

The system is likely to trigger light to moderate rain in north coastal Odisha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal and over one or two places in the rest of the state on December 4. Yellow warning of heavy rainfall has also been issued for Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri.

“A low-pressure area is likely to form over the south Andaman Sea by Nov 30. Under its influence, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands b/w Nov 30- Dec 2 and over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Dec 3 for subsequent 48 hours,” the IMD said.

Taking a note of the situation, the Special Relief Commissioner’s office has directed the collectors of all districts to closely monitor the situation and take action as deemed necessary in case of any eventuality.

They have been asked to ensure that fishermen return to the coast by December 2 as squally weather conditions with surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph is likely to prevail over the west-central Bay of Bengal from that date.

“The harvested paddy may be shifted to safe places and kept properly stacked to check the damage. Where the paddy crops are ready for harvest, steps may be taken to expedite the process and stocked safely,” the SRC’s office added.

IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra had said that Odisha is likely to experience rain from December 2 to December 5. He further said that there is a possibility of the low-pressure intensifying into a cyclone in the first week of December.

“The sea surface temperature is 29 to 30 degree Celsius over the Bay of Bengal and it is conducive for strengthening of the cyclonic circulation. The direction and intensity of the system can only be ascertained once the low pressure is formed,” he added.

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