Cyclone 'Pabuk': Odisha Government Puts 7 Districts on Alert; Heavy Rains Predicted in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Odisha government has put seven districts on alert after cyclonic activities were witnessed in the South China Sea. Heavy rains are expected in Andaman and Nicobar Islands from January 5-7 as approaching tropical cyclone 'Pabuk' is expected to emerge in the Andaman sea on January 5 and is likely to cross the islands on January 6. 

According to the advisory issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, “The cyclonic storm Pabuk lay centred over the South China Sea, about 1,500 km east-southeast of Port Blair.” 

The advisory further read, "The cyclonic storm is very likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Andaman Sea around January 5, 2019. It is likely to cross Andaman Islands around evening/night of January 6. The storm will then move north- north westwards, recurve towards Myanmar coast and weaken further during January 7-8, 2019.” 

"Heavy rains are predicted in the Andaman Islands from January 5-7," aid scientist AK Sen told IANS. 

Squally wind with a speed ranging between 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph with a gradual increase up to 75 kmph is likely over the Andaman Sea from January 4. 

The collectors of seven Odisha districts - Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Ganjam and Khurda - have been asked to stay alert and monitor the situation. 

While no specific warning has been issued to the fishermen, the weather department has advised them not to venture into the Andaman Sea from January 4-7 and into the adjoining southeast and the east-central Bay of Bengal from January 6-7.  

Fishermen and others in the deep sea have also been advised to return to the coast by tonight.