Odisha SRC Says Cyclone Status To Be Known Tomorrow, Advises People Not To Panic

Bhubaneswar: Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will give a clear picture on possible cyclone in Bay of Bengal on Saturday evening, the state government has put its rescue and relief plan in place.

State Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena on Friday evening said as per a special bulletin of IMD, low pressure area lies over the South Andaman sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a depression over southeast Bay on Saturday.

Jena said whether the depression will intensify into a cyclonic storm or severe cyclone can be forecast by the IMD on Saturday evening. Depending on the movement of the system, its track, intensity and landfall can be better ascertained. At present, it is forecast that the system is likely to move northwestward and reach the Bay off the coast of North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on May 10.

However, the SRC said the government is fully prepared for rescue and relief operations if cyclone heads towards Odisha. Collectors of 18 districts have been asked to stay prepared for preventive measures, while 17 NDRF, 20 ODRAF and 175 fire services teams are on high alert.

Appealing to the people not to panic, Jena advised fishermen not to venture into sea after May 8 and asked those in deep sea to return to the coast. Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been put on alert to maintain vigil on the movement of fishermen, he added.

Also Read: Cyclone Asani: Energy Dept Fully Prepared, Says Odisha Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra – odishabytes