In the backdrop of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast about a low pressure area forming over the South Andaman Sea on November 30 and intensifying into a cyclonic storm in the first week of December, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has advised the district Collectors to stay on alert mode with necessary manpower and machinery to tackle the exigency following the likely formation of cyclone.
Special Relief Commissioner P.K.Jena Sunday wrote letters to the district collectors advising them to remain alert to meet any eventualities.
Under the influence of the low pressure and the possible cyclonic storm, rainfall activities will increase from November 30 and continue till December 3, the SRC said.
Some parts of the State are likely to witness thunderstorms, accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall. Light to moderate rain is very likely to occur in six districts including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal, Malkangiri,Koraput and Rayagada from 8.30 of December 2 and 8.30 am of December 3.
Squally weather with surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting upto 70 kmph likely over west-central Bay of Bengal on December 2, the release issued by SRC said.
According to IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the possibility is high that the system may intensify into a cyclonic storm on December 2. It may have an impact on the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
However, the weathermen said it is too early to predict the exact location of landfall. They said anything can be said only after the formation of the low pressure area in the Andaman Sea.
The fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea and those who are already in the sea have been asked to return to the shore well before December 2.