Bhubaneswar: The State has come under the threat of cyclone as a depression over North Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move towards Odisha coast during next 72 hours.
As per a meteorological department forecast made at 11.30 a.m. today, the depression moved westward with a speed of 18 kmph during past three hours and lay centered about 1,350 km east-southeast of Paradip.
“The system would intensify into a deep depression and further into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow. It would move north-westward towards north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during next 72 hours,” a press release of the Met office said today.
Under impact of the depression, rain and thundershower would occur in many places across the State while one or two places would witness heavy rainfall during next 48 hours.
Even as squally weather will prevail along and off Odisha Coast after 48 hours, fishermen, who are in the deep sea, have been advised to return to the coast as sea will become rough to very rough after 24 hours.
Distant Cautionary Signal Number One (DC-I) has been hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports.
Meanwhile, the State Government has alerted the collectors of 14 districts, where severe cyclone is being predicted.
These districts are Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, and Gajapati.
The State Government has also communicated with Union Home Ministry for possible help of Air Force to face any eventuality.
While National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been apprised of the situation, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), fire brigade and other rescue units have been directed to stay prepared for the possible natural calamity.