Weather Alert / Cyclone Arnav 580 km off Gopalpur, Ganjam Goes into High Alert Mode

Brahmapur, Oct 26: The Ganjam district administration has intensified preparedness measures as Cyclone Arnav over the Bay of Bengal moves closer to the eastern coast, prompting authorities to place the district on high alert.

District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida personally reviewed cyclone preparedness by inspecting cyclone shelters in Chhatrapur, Ganjam, Aryapalli, Gopalpur and Chikiti on Monday.

Officials said all 110 cyclone shelters across the district have been fully prepared to accommodate residents in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas if required.

Also read: Malkangiri Shuts Liquor Shops, Ramps up Disaster Preparedness

As a precautionary measure, the administration has shifted 107 pregnant women to various healthcare facilities across the district. Four of them have been moved to dedicated maternity centres.

Authorities said 75 women have already delivered, resulting in the birth of 74 live babies, while one stillbirth has been reported.

Restrictions Imposed

To ensure public safety, the district administration has imposed restrictions on tourist activities along the coast.

All beaches in Ganjam district, including the popular Gopalpur and Sunapur beaches, have been closed to visitors from Monday until October 30 in view of the expected rough sea conditions and adverse weather.

Meanwhile, fishing vessels from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Paradip have taken shelter along the Ganjam coast ahead of the cyclone.

According to officials, 13 Andhra-based trawlers and four Paradip trawlers have anchored near Aryapalli after fishermen chose not to venture back into the sea amid deteriorating maritime conditions.

Cyclone Update

Cyclone Arnav, which formed over the central Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, has moved westward at a speed of 15 kmph during the past six hours.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.

The cyclone currently lies about 580 km southeast of Gopalpur, 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 620 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram and 690 km from Kakinada.

According to the IMD, the system is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday night and may further strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.

It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by the forenoon of October 28.

During landfall, wind speeds are expected to range between 115 and 125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph.

The weather department has also issued an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Puri districts, while several other districts have been placed under a Yellow Alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds.