Odisha On High Alert As East Coast Prepares For A Cyclone

Officials predict that a low-pressure region developing over the South Andaman Sea might build into a cyclonic storm and make its way to the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast early next week.

According to the Met Department, the weather system over the South Andaman Sea and the adjacent southeast Bay of Bengal is quite likely to travel north-westwards and intensify into a depression by Saturday.

By Sunday evening, it is expected to be intensified into a cyclonic storm. In light of the cyclonic storm's expected development, the meteorological office also warned of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over the regions of Gangetic West Bengal between Tuesday and Friday next week.

Following the forecast, the Odisha government said disaster response and fire services teams were set on alert. In the recent three summers, the area has been hit by three cyclones: 'Yaas' in 2021, 'Amphan' in 2020, and 'Fani' in 2019.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director-General Mrutunjay Mohapatra, the low-pressure region is highly likely to proceed north-westwards and deepen into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and a storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal. He estimates that it will reach the shore on May 10.

"We haven't made any predictions about where it will land. We have also made no mention of the potential wind speed during the landfall "According to Mohapatra.

"We have requisitioned 17 teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), 20 teams of ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), and 175 teams of fire department personnel," Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said. Apart from that, the NDRF has been asked to prepare 10 more teams in case of an emergency.

Jena said the Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been put on high alert to keep an eye on the movement of fishermen at sea.

"Only after the development of the depression on May 7 will the IMD be able to provide specifics on the cyclone, its wind speed, and landfall position." Fishermen should not venture out after May 9 because the sea may be harsh.

"We predict that the cyclonic storm's wind speed in the sea would persist around 80-90 kmph," Mohapatra added.

S K Upadhaya, Director-General of Fire Services, said that all leave for firefighters has been cancelled.

Jena said Odisha is prepared to meet any eventuality after conducting a video conference with the collectors of 18 districts. Collectors have been put on high alert and instructed to take all necessary precautions, he added.

If their towers are damaged by the predicted cyclone, Jena said the energy department and telecom service providers have been urged to begin restoration work immediately. "During a cyclone, residents are also known to go out of their homes to pick mangoes, coconuts, and other fruits. It might put one's life in jeopardy "He continued.