Natural Calamities / Odisha Prepared To Face Possible Cyclone, No Need To Panic: Minister Suresh Pujari

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday assured people that the State is fully prepared to face the impending cyclonic system and asked them to remain calm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26 and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts.

Pujari said all concerned departments and district administrations have completed preparations for a worst-case scenario, irrespective of the system’s final intensity or landfall location. “There is no need to worry, nor is there any need to be perturbed. This cyclone will also come and pass,” he said, adding that the government has put in place the necessary arrangements to minimise damage.

IMD forecast

According to the IMD, the low-pressure area formed over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Friday morning. It is most likely to intensify into a depression on October 24, a deep depression on October 25 and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26 morning.

The weather office said the system is likely to move west-northwestwards towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the following two days. IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said a clearer indication of the system’s likely track would be available once it develops into a depression.

Rain and sea warning

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast on October 26 and 27. The IMD has also asked fishermen already at sea to return to the coast by the morning of October 24.

Coastal districts are likely to receive rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunder from October 26. Rainfall intensity may increase from the evening of October 27, with very heavy rainfall likely in Odisha on October 29.

The State government has directed district authorities to keep contingency plans ready, identify vulnerable people for possible evacuation and ensure emergency healthcare facilities remain operational.