Cyclone Sitrang effect: IMD issues very heavy rain alert to coastal Odisha on Oct 24, 25

Even as the impending cyclone Sitrang is unlikely to make landfall in Odisha and is expected to recurve towards West Bengal-Bangladesh border, the coastal Odisha is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 24 and 25.

A fresh press briefing by the Bhubaneswar Met Centre confirmed on Friday that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack. Similarly, heavy rainfall is likely to occur at Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Khordha, Puri and Ganjam districts on October 24 and 25.

Addressing the press, Bhubaneswar Met Centre Chief, HR Biswas said, “As long as the wind speed is concerned, squally wind combined with squally weather will prevail over coastal Odisha districts from October 23. During this time the wind speed will remain between 34 – 45 kmph.

Live Updates | how West Bengal is preparing for ‘Sitrang’

“On October 24, the wind speed will remain between 45-55 kmph along and off Odisha coast. On October 25, the wind speed will reach 50 - 60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph,” Biswas said.

As per the IMD forecast, the low pressure area is very likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over Eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22and into a deep depression on October 23.

“It is very likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 24. Thereafter, it is likely to move gradually north- northeastwards and reach near West Bengal - Bangladesh coasts on October 25, skirting Odisha coast,” IMD’s bulletin read.

Meanwhile, the district administration of Puri has cancelled leaves of all the officials. Taking precautionary measures in view of very heavy rainfall alert by the IMD, the district Collector has directed the BDOs and Tehsildars of 11 blocks in the district to stay alert.

Samarth Verma, Puri Collector said, “We are alert on the impending cyclone induced heavy rains. Puri district faces such kind of cyclones regularly, so everybody knows the drill. As long as crop damage is concerned, paddy crop in the district have not matured yet to cut and stack in safer places. However, we will take steps as per the order from higher ups.”