Cyclone Michaung: Govt ready for any situation, rescue teams deployed, says Odisha SRC

Odisha government has completed its preparedness to deal with any situation that is likely to arise due to heavy rains in some parts of south Odisha under the impact of the severe cyclonic storm Michaung. This was stated by Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu on Monday.

Talking over the phone, he stated that as per the prediction of the IMD, though the cyclonic storm will have no direct impact on Odisha, some parts of the state are likely to experience heavy rainfall under the impact of the cyclone. It is apprehended that the heavy rains as predicted by meteorologists are likely to cause damage to crops at harvest time. 

“An orange warning has been issued for the districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam which are likely to experience heavy rainfall. However, the intensity of the wind speed will be far less – within 40 to 50 km/hr. But rains will occur,” he added.

Similarly, a yellow warning has been issued to Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal districts.

The SRC also said that as there is a possibility of incidents/mishaps like landslides and trees being uprooted in these districts, five ODRAF teams and eight teams of fire brigade have been sent to some areas. They will support the administration in the relief and rescue operations. 

Sahu also added that fishermen along the coasts have been warned against venturing into the seas till the evening of December 6. 

Also Read: Michaung intensifies into severe cyclonic storm; check IMD’s latest update

“Currently, paddy harvest is going on in the state. At some places crop cutting is continuing Heavy rains will hamper the harvesting activities and damage crops. We have issued an advisory through the agriculture department to disseminate information to farmers on how to save their crops,’ Sahu said. 

Currently, the severe cyclonic storm Michaung lay centered over Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts. The severe cyclonic storm Michaung is about 90 km east-northeast of Chennai, 170 km southeast of Nellore, 200 km northeast of Puducherry, 300 km south-southeast of Bapatla and 320 km south of Machilipatnam.

As per IMD, Michaung is moving nearly northwards almost parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast. As per the projected path, the severe cyclonic storm is likely to cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of December 5 as a severe cyclonic storm. The maximum sustained wind speed is likely to be around 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 km/ph, IMD said.