The low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified on Monday and may transform into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23. According to weather forecasts, it will reach the adjoining coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on October 24. Therefore, the two states will receive heavy rains on Friday, i.e. in three days. Meteorological experts advise fishermen not to go into the sea from October 23 to 25. Wind speed may reach 60 kilometers per hour (kmph) along the Odisha-West Bengal coast from Wednesday and will gradually increase to 100-110 kmph. From the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, the wind speed will reach 120 kilometers per hour.
On the morning of October 25, it will make landfall between Puri and Sagar islands.
The India Meteorological Department said, “The system is likely to cross the coast of North Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar islands during the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25. During this period, it will move as Moving at speeds of 100-110 kilometers per hour, “wind speeds will reach 120 kilometers per hour, forming a severe cyclonic storm. “
Red alert in Odisha and Bengal, schools also closed
The IMD has issued a red alert (action) for very heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) with heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) at isolated places. Meanwhile, storms and lightning are likely to occur in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam and Jagasinghpur districts of Odisha on October 24. Special Relief Commissioner DK Singh has asked the School and Mass Education Department to close schools in 14 potentially affected districts from October 23 to 25 as a precautionary measure. Schools in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khordha, Nayagarh and Cuttack districts will remain closed. Meanwhile, for West Bengal, the Met Office has predicted heavy rains in coastal areas of East and West Medinipur and North and South 24 Parganas on October 23.
President Draupadi Murmu-Amit Shah’s visit canceled
The modern passenger terminal building at Petrapore, Bangladesh, located on the border of India and Bangladesh, costing Rs 450 crore, was originally scheduled to be inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on October 23, but due to Cyclone Dana ( Dana) was delayed. Meanwhile, President Draupadi Murmu’s three-day visit to Odisha scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed in view of the impending cyclone. Murmu plans to visit Banlibosi, Upabeda, Rairangpur, Puri and Bhubaneswar during his stay.
The Odisha government is actively preparing
The Odisha government also urged tourists to leave the coastal pilgrim town of Puri on the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25 before the cyclone hits the state’s coast. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to ensure 100 per cent evacuation of people from areas likely to be affected by the cyclone. He also directed officials to keep adequate quantities of food, drinking water and medicines in cyclone shelters. Magee urged people not to panic as the state government was well prepared to deal with the situation.
Call on fishermen to return
Majhi also directed officials in Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts to ensure that fishermen return to the coast before the cyclone reaches the state coast. A total of 11 fishermen were in the sea from the two districts. IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said in Bhubaneswar that Odisha is likely to be worst affected as the cyclone will be accompanied by high-speed winds and extremely heavy rains.
Yellow-orange alert issued for these areas
The IMD has issued an Orange Alert (Ready for Action) for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in Kendrapara, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal and Gajapati districts. Apart from this, yellow alert (caution) for thunderstorm, heavy rain (7 to 11 cm) and lightning has been issued for isolated places like Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Bodh, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar Also published.
Be vigilant in these areas of Bangladesh
In West Bengal, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at one or two places in east and west Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and Jhargram districts on October 24-25, the IMD said. The Met Office also said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Purulia and Bankura districts on October 24 and 25.
