Odisha braces for heavy rains as IMD issues cyclone warning

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 18: 

Odisha is likely to experience heavy rainfall over the next three days as the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours, said Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

“The depression currently lays centred about 700 kilometres southwest of Gopalpur. As of now, the model indicates that the cyclone will pass by Odisha coast day after tomorrow. We expect wind speed to increase up to 65-75 kmph under influence of the cyclone. Sea condition would be rough. We have asked fishermen not to venture into the sea,” said Sarat Chandra Sahu, Director of Bhubaneswar based Regional Meteorological Centre.

“Heavy rainfall is expected in coastal areas of the state over the next two-three days. Some of the places in coastal areas might receive up to 120 mm rainfall while interior Odisha might get up to 65 mm. The temperature will stay below 40 degree centigrade in most places of the state under influence of the cyclone until May 21 and would rise again after 22. We are keeping a close watch over the situation and monitoring the progress every three hours,” he added.

Distant Cautionary Signal Number one (DC-I) have been hoisted across all the ports of the state.

Notably, earlier in the day, a notification from IMD also said that the system is likely to continue to move north- northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh Coast and further intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours. Besides, the system is likely to move northeastwards along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coasts during subsequent 48 hours.

“Gusty surface wind from southerly direction in south Odisha coast and southwesterly direction in north Odisha coast reaching 45 to 50 kmph with gusting to 55 kmph would prevail along and off Odisha coast,” said IMD.