IMD issues cyclone alert for South Odisha and Andhra
India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued the warning of a cyclone for South Odisha and coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. The storm is likely to hit the East Coast of India. The IMD said a low pressure formed over the West-Central Bay of Bengal had intensified into deep depression, and was likely to transform into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours.
Cyclone enters into deep depression, centered mainly over South Odisha
While heavy rainfall has lashed several parts of Odisha since Wednesday, other parts are experiencing heavy rainfall since today morning. Due to the depression, heavy to severely heavy rainfall may occur in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts till today, a Meteorological (Met) official said. The storm would move West-NorthWestward and weaken gradually into a deep depression, said Met director HR Biswas.
Here's the recent notice by Met
The current situation
Ensure that no life is lost: CM Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday, held a review meeting and had asked the officials to not only monitor the situation but also take appropriate steps to ensure no life is lost. As per a PTI report, coastal districts and related departments have been put on alert. Further, NDRF and ODRAF teams have been deployed with emergency equipment along with 17 boats.
NDRF team deployed in various districts of Odisha
Don't venture out into sea for next 24 hours: CWD
The Cyclone Warning Division (CWD) has issued an advisory stating that the sea will be very rough over Central and Northern Bay of Bengal and along the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh. A warning was also sent out to fishermen to not venture out into NorthWest Bay of Bengal and the mentioned coasts for the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall grips Odisha's Koraput & Balasore
According to a report by Skymet Weather, Odisha's Koraput has, till now, recorded rains to the tune of 100 mm; and 141 mm of rain has been recorded in Balasore. West Bengal has also been gripped by severely heavy rainfall of about 252 mm.
