BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Monday put four districts on alert as cyclonic storm Mora moved north-eastwards towards the Bangladesh coast. Anticipating rains in wake of the passing storm, Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty asked the Collectors to remain prepared with exigency measures.
Mora, which is lying over east-central Bay of Bengal, moved in a north-northeastward direction in the last six hours at 19 km per hour. It was located at a distance of 550 km from Paradip in east-south-east direction.
The weather office said the system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong on Tuesday.
Under its impact, coastal and northern districts will experience showers although likelihood of heavy downpour is slim since the system was lying at quite a distance from the coast.
The State Government, however, asked Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur to remain alert as rain and thundershower are likely to occur at some places in North Odisha and a few places over South Odisha during next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is predicted at a few places.
Mohanty also urged fishermen not to venture into the sea on Tuesday and Wednesday since the conditions are expected to be rough. The India Meteorological Department also hoisted distant warning signal number 2 at Paradip and Gopalpur ports.
The weather office has predicted that the system will trigger heavy showers in north-eastern States while formation of a fresh system over Arabian Sea may help expedite onset of monsoon in Kerala in next two days. In the first week of June, more showers are expected in the State too.