Cyclone fear grips Odisha; picture to clear in 4-5 days

The very mention of cyclone in the month of May always gives people of Odisha a shiver as the pictures of devastation caused by Fani, which ravaged the State on May 3, 2019, are still fresh in their minds. 

The present forecast of cyclone is no different. 

While people are in a state of fear and apprehension, the picture with respect to cyclone, according to weathermen, is still not clear. 

A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over south Andaman sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal around May 4 and a low pressure area will form on May 6. But it is still not clear whether it will intensify into cyclone or not. 

IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said anything regarding cyclone can be said only after formation of low pressure area. Everything like what would be the path of cyclone, what would be the gale speed and what would be its impact on Odisha will be clear after 4 to 5 days. 

Meanwhile, weather expert Sarat Sahu said the cyclonic circulation likely to be formed around May 4 or 5 and will intensify into a marked low pressure area by May 6. 

It is very likely that the low pressure will intensify into a cyclonic storm and in the event of availability of favourable conditions; it may turn into a severe cyclonic storm. 

By May 10, it may cross Odisha-Bengal coast. In case it heads towards Odisha, districts like Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar will be affected. 

We have to wait till May 5 or 6 to get a clear picture about the cyclone, Sahu said. 

Meanwhile, the Nor’wester has become active in the State with wind from above the sea continuously entering into the State from South and South-east directions. 

Under this impact, Khariar in Nuapara district today experienced hailstorm. At places, trees were found uprooted. While the sky over Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and few coastal districts remained overcast, few places witnessed drizzling, providing much awaited respite from the scorching heat.