Bhubaneswar: Odisha will continue to feel the effect of Cyclone ‘Michaung’, which crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast close to south of Baptla between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Tuesday, till Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a orange warning for very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, and Rayagada till Wednesday morning. Yellow alert of heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) has also been sounded for one or two places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal during this period.
Heavy rainfall may continue at one or two places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada during the subsequent 24 hours.
Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off Odisha coast from December 5 evening for subsequent 12 hours and gradually decrease thereafter. Also, surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph is likely over Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts on December 5.
The cyclone is expected to cause wide-scale damage to harvest-ready standing crops and vegetables in the districts of southern Odisha.
The state Agriculture Department has asked officers in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nabarangpur district to remain on high alert as paddy, millets and variety of vegetables, which are nearing harvest or are almost harvest ready, could be hit due to unseasonal extremely heavy rainfall during these two days.
