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States brace as Cyclone Jawad nears, PM holds review meet
NDRF DGP says 33 teams will be deployed to assist in the rescue, relief operations.
A cyclonic storm, named Cyclone Jawad, is likely to form over central Bay of Bengal but it may not intensify into severe category as expected earlier, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday, adding that it still has the potential to cause widespread damage over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on Friday.
Also Read | Cyclone Jawad: IMD asks people to stay indoors, Jharkhand to be impacted too
According to IMD, the low pressure area over central parts of Andaman Sea has moved west-northwestwards and become a well-marked low pressure area over south-east Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea. It moved west-northwestwards and concentrated into a depression over south-east and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday evening. It is likely to move north-westwards and intensify into cyclone Jawad over central parts of the Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 24 hours and reach west-central Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coasts around Friday morning. Thereafter, it is likely to move north-northeastwards, IMD said.
Also Read | Cyclone Jawad: What we know so far about its formation and movement path
“The expected intensity of cyclone Jawad has reduced a bit. So, while it is a relief that it may not intensify beyond a cyclonic storm, the northeast monsoon easterly winds will still feed warmth and moisture bringing rain,” explained Sunitha Devi, in-charge, cyclones at IMD.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the preparedness of states, central ministries and other agencies to deal with the situation arising out of the likely formation of cyclone Jawad, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
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“PM Modi held a meeting today and he has been given the details of the cyclone situation. We are in constant contact with the state governments and assuring them of providing required NDRF teams. A total of 29 teams have already been deployed at the required places. Now a total of 33 teams are also being deployed to deal with the situation,” Atul Karwal, director-general of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF Karwal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Till Wednesday, out of 10 models under consideration by the IMD, two indicated that cyclone Jawad would cross the Odisha coast, while others suggested it would skirt the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts. “If it skirts the coast, then the impact will be marginally less. But, extremely heavy rain is expected over coastal districts of Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh,” Devi added.
Also Read | Cyclone Jawad: IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in some Odisha districts
The off-shore and alongshore operations along north Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts have been advised to be judiciously regulated on Friday and suspended on Saturday, to ensure safety of life and property. Fishermen all along the coast in these states have been advised not to venture into the sea, officials said
