JOIN USThe Odisha government on Tuesday issued a high alert in 14 out of 30 districts, mostly in coastal region, for a possible severe cyclonic storm that may hit the state’s coastline by October 12.
The revenue department alerted the collectors of all these districts after the local weather office warned that the low pressure formed in the north Andaman coast was likely turn into a severe cyclonic storm and was heading towards the state‘s coastline. The system which has already become a deep depression was centred around 1300 km east and south-east of port township of Paradip in coastal Jagatsinghpur district by Tuesday evening.
“After we received a warning from the met department, the collectors and other officials have been advised to remain in high alert and initiate steps to handle the situation,” Special Relief Commissioner(SRC), Pradipta Mohapatra said, adding that all these 14 districts had been affected by the 1999 Super Cyclone. Mohapatra further said that the state government had also alerted the Union Home Ministry, the national disaster management authority as well as the Indian Air Force (IAF) for possible help. “We have told them that they should remain alert as we may need their help within a very short notice,” the SRC said.
Local met office sources said, the weather condition was likely to start deteriorating from Wednesday onwards. However, heavy rainfall have already begun in different districts. On Tuesday, 22 places across the state including capital Bhubaneswar recorded over 70 mm of rainfall.