Weather Alert / Winter Likely to Arrive in Odisha from November 8 as Cyclone Murasu Weakens

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: With Cyclone Murasu rapidly weakening after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast, Odisha is expected to witness a gradual decline in rainfall and the onset of winter conditions from the second week of November.

Weather experts have forecast cooler nights across coastal districts as moisture levels in the atmosphere decrease following the cyclone's weakening.

With the system is now weakening, it’s likely to turn into a cyclonic storm before further reducing into a deep depression by midnight.

Meteorologists said the cyclone's interaction with land, the influence of cold and dry air, and the presence of the Eastern Ghats mountain range are accelerating its weakening process.

Also read: Cyclone Murasu weakens, but floodwaters disrupt life across Odisha

Although Odisha is unlikely to face any major impact from the cyclone, light to moderate rainfall may continue at a few places till Wednesday morning. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely in one or two locations of Malkangiri and Koraput districts.

During the last 24 hours, Pathrapur in Ganjam district recorded the state's highest rainfall at 43 mm.

Weather conditions are expected to improve significantly from November 5, with largely dry weather likely on November 6, 7 and 8. While daytime temperatures may rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius over the next two days, night temperatures in coastal districts are expected to remain 2 to 5 degrees below normal, resulting in a noticeable chill.

"After the cyclone weakens, atmospheric moisture will reduce considerably. As a result, winter conditions are likely to intensify across Odisha from November 8 and 9," weather experts said.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Dillip Raut said there is no forecast for heavy rainfall in Odisha due to Cyclone Murasu.

"Since significant rainfall is no longer expected, our focus has shifted to conserving water in reservoirs. Gates of several reservoirs in Ganjam district have been closed to store incoming water," he said.

Reservoirs including Bhanjara, Sorada, Daha, Bhagua, Dhanei, Ghoda, Bajanti, Gotekeswar, Bodanala and Harabuni have been prepared for water storage. At Hirakud Dam, four of the five opened gates have already been closed following a fall in water levels, with the reservoir currently hovering around 628.5 feet.

At the same time, restoration work has begun in flood-affected areas of Ganjam, where embankments, canals, bridges, riverbanks and irrigation structures suffered damage.

Officials said repairs to a key flood-damaged anicut intake point will begin within the next three to four days, with the project expected to be completed in about two months.