At least five neighbouring states of Odisha braced for the after-affects of Cyclone Phailin, which is expected to bring “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh after crossing into Indian east coast.
The two states also sounded an alert on Saturday evening and moved men and machinery to meet any eventuality.
LS Rathore, director general of the Indian Meteorological Department, said that Phailin’s impact was expected to be felt in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh chaired a high-level meeting of top officials in Raipur on Saturday and instructed them to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions.
According to ML Sahu, director of the Chhattisgarh meteorological department, the cyclone impact would be felt mostly in central and northern parts of Chhattisgarh. “There will be heavy rains and wind speed will be around 60-70 kmph when the cyclone moves inside the state,” Sahu said.
In Jharkhand, the disaster management department has issued high alert in the districts such as East and West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Khunti, Simdega, Ranchi, Latehar and Lohardaga. It has also asked the people not to come out of their houses on October 12 and 13. Gusty winds up to the speed of 45-55 kmph may prevail over southern Jharkhand from Sunday morning.
{{/usCountry}}In Jharkhand, the disaster management department has issued high alert in the districts such as East and West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Khunti, Simdega, Ranchi, Latehar and Lohardaga. It has also asked the people not to come out of their houses on October 12 and 13. Gusty winds up to the speed of 45-55 kmph may prevail over southern Jharkhand from Sunday morning.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the Bihar administration has jumped into action in order to minimise the impact of the cyclone. Southern parts of Bihar are expected to bear the brunt of Phailin.
In West Bengal, rains are yet to put a dampener on Puja festivities, but the cyclonic effect might cause trouble in the Gangetic plains of the state on Sunday. The storm’s fury is likely to be felt in eastern Uttar Pradesh also.