Bhubaneswar: Odisha is well prepared and has taken a slew of necessary measures in view of the possible development of a cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ in the Bay of Bengal, said Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on Friday.
Briefing mediapersons, Mohapatra said, “Collectors have started making all necessary arrangements in their respective districts. Besides, ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services personnel have been dispatched to strategic locations of the State which are likely to be affected by the Cyclone.”
“5 NDRF teams sent to Gujarat for Cyclone Tauktae, will return to Odisha today,” he said.
The concerned officials have been directed to ensure proper evacuation of people living in low-lying areas and kutcha houses to avoid any kind of eventualities, the SRC informed.
Moreover, high mast lights installed in cities, billboards and hoardings will also be removed by May 24 in view of the cyclone. If directives are not followed, municipal staff will remove the advertisement boards, Jena said.
Also Read
“We also had a discussion with the Power department, Housing and Urban Development Department and Panchayati Raj Department. Efforts will be made to provide uninterrupted drinking water supply during the cyclone,” Jena stated.
According to the India Meteorological Department, a low-pressure system is likely to form over Bay of Bengal on May 22. This may intensify into depression on May 23 and into cyclone on May 24. The cyclone is likely to make a landfall between Odisha and Sunderbans.
However, IMD has not revealed the path and the wind speed of the cyclone, the SRC said after a meeting with IMD and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
According to Bhubaneswar Met office, yesterday’s cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood now lies over Southeast and adjoining Central Bay of Bengal between 3.1 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is very likely to form over East-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea around May 22. It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 24, the weather office predicted.
It is very likely to move north-westwards & reach Odisha-West Bengal coast around May 26 morning, the MeT said while advising fishermen not to venture into deep sea area of central Bay of Bengal between May 23 and May 25 and into north Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha coast from May 24 to May 27.