The Met department has warned that a depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till May 20.
The depression in the Bay of Bengal is now 1,040 km south of Odisha’s Paradip coast.
“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further into a severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards initially till May 17 and then re-curve north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts during 18th to 20th May 2020” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a warning.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into south Bay of Bengal from May 16-17, to central Bay of Bengal from May 17-18 and north Bay of Bengal during May 19-20. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along and off Odisha coast from May 18 onwards,” it said.
According to the forecast, coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places from the evening of May 18, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places on May 19 and isolated heavy rainfall over northeast Odisha on May 20. Coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at a few places on May 19, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with extremely heavy rain at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal on May 20.
{{/usCountry}}According to the forecast, coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places from the evening of May 18, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places on May 19 and isolated heavy rainfall over northeast Odisha on May 20. Coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at a few places on May 19, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with extremely heavy rain at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal on May 20.
{{/usCountry}}Ahead cyclone Amphan making landfall, the Odisha government has put 12 districts on alert as a precautionary measure after a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Friday.
While reviewing the State’s preparedness with senior officials and Collectors, Tripathy asked them to be prepared for any situation and to make all necessary arrangements also keeping in mind the prevailing Covid-19 situation.
The cyclone’s path is not yet clear.
“At present there is no clear indication about the path of the Cyclonic Storm, but as per the IMD’s alert, State government has taken all necessary steps to deal with the Cyclonic situation,” Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said, according to ANI.
“12 districts have been put on alert, as a precautionary measure and Collectors have been asked to be prepared for shifting people to safe places if a situation arises,” Pradeep Jena added.
“All coastal district Collectors especially North Odisha Collectors have been asked to closely monitor the situation due to the Covid-19 situation. Many multi-purpose cyclone shelters are being used as quarantine centres so collectors have asked to identify alternative buildings to be used as cyclone shelters if needed,” Jena added.
The state government has also asked the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Odisha Fire service to be on standby for deployment.