Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: In view of the cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ which is approaching Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to cross its coastline between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around noon on Thursday, the Odisha government on Monday asked 10 district administrations to remain on high alert.
 
As predicted by the Met department, three coastal districts such as Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsingpur might be affected by the storm while southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada may witness heavy showers under the impact of the natural disaster.
 
“The cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ is likely to make landfall between Kalingapatnam and Machhlipatnam of Andhra Pradesh at around noon of November 28. Though during land fall, maximum wind speed is expected to be 200kmph, the impact will be less in Odisha. But looking at the intensity of the wind and the damages Phailin has caused, we have alerted the collectors of 10 districts of south and coastal region. The fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea,” Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said.
 
Besides, since the ripe paddy crops in these districts are apprehended to be severely hit due to heavy rains, the government has advised the farmers to harvest the crops and shift the yielded crops to safer place. The fishermen who are in the deep sea have been asked to return.
 
The storm which lay center in Andaman coast now has intensified into severe cyclonic storm. It is currently 1100 km away from Gopalpur coast of Odisha and moving westward, the weatherman said. Meanwhile, Distant Cautionary Signal number -2 has been hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports.
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