Cyclone to cross Gopalpur coast in Odisha tonight

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government issued alerts to the administrative officials of the coastal districts today after the depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm.

“As per the latest prediction of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone which will cross Gopalpur coast tonight,” said Odisha Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padhi.

Padhi further informed that districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda are likely to experience maximum wind speed of 60 to 70 km/hr gusting up to a speed of 80 km/hr.

“We are alert and each concerned department including electricity has been put on alert and the situation is being closely monitored,” Padhi added.

Official sources said the wind speed in these districts is likely to increase from 5 PM today. As the sea condition is likely to remain rough, fishermen in coastal districts have been warned not to venture into the sea in the next 24 hours.

Senior officials further informed that district administrations in Puri and Ganjam have been asked to carry out evacuation in vulnerable and low-lying areas in their respective regions.

Moreover, Khurda district administration today cancelled the holidays of all the government employees for tomorrow in view of heavy cyclonic rain.