Cyclone threat: Odisha puts Collectors on high alert, leave of govt employees cancelled

The Odisha government on Tuesday asked District Collectors to remain alert in view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast regarding formation of a cyclone.

At the emergency meeting convened by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) today, clear instructions have been given to the District Collectors to remain alert in view of the possible cyclone which is to form over Bay of Bengal.

“The leave of employees cancelled and they have been asked to remain present in headquarters,” informed OSDMA Executive Director Gyana Das.

According to Das, so far the IMD has not made any forecast or projection regarding the path or what would be its intensity. However, every possible step is being taken by the government to deal with the emergency situation.

Earlier in the day, IMD had stated that a low pressure area is likely to develop under the influence of a cyclonic circulation in the next 48 hours. As per IMD, the system is likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over Central Bay of Bengal.

Subsequently, it is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over Westcentral Bay of Bengal.

The IMD DG further said so far any forecast on what will be the intensity of the cyclone and which coast it will cross has not been made.

“Only after the low pressure forms, we will be in a better position to forecast the areas which will be affected by the cyclone, its intensity and the areas which might get affected including rainfall,” Mohapatra added.