Cyclonic storm Roanu intensifies, Odisha on alert

Sambad English Bureau Published On : May 19, 2016 at 1:51 PM Updated On : May 19, 2016 at 2:56 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 19:

The deep depression formed over Bay of Bengal concentrated into a cyclonic storm in the early hours today. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has named the cyclone ‘Roanu’ — a name suggested by Maldives.

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As per the morning weather bulletin of IMD, Roanu currently lays centred over west-central Bay of Bengal, about 350kms southwest of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The system is likely to move in north-northeast direction along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast and may intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over next 24 hours before making landfall over Bangladesh later.

Under influence of the storm, heavy to very heavy rainfall and thundershowers are likely in coastal areas of Odisha and isolated extremely heavy falls are likely in one or two places over the next two days, said IMD.

Wind speed is likely to increase up to 45-50 kmph in coastal areas under influence of the cyclone. Sea condition would be rough. IMD has issued an advisory asking fishermen not to venture into the sea.

Besides, Distant Cautionary Signal Number one (DC-I) has been replaced by Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) across all the ports of the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today held a review meeting with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradipta Mohapatra, Police DG KB Singh, top officials of the administration and representatives of Meteorological Department to assess the situation.

“The leaves of all government employees will be cancelled on May 20 and 21. People living in low lying areas are being put on alert. Fire Department and 10 ODRAF teams have been kept on standby in view of the possible cyclone,” said Padhi speaking to reporters after the meeting.

Further, satellite telephone services have been activated to make contact with district collectors during emergency and auxiliary services have been kept on standby to restore electricity supply and makes roads navigable in case of emergency.