BHUBANESWAR: The system over Bay of Bengal, which is heading towards north Andhra Pradesh coast after intensifying into a cyclonic storm, will have no impact on Odisha.
However, the State Government has left nothing to chance. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness for cyclone ‘Kyant’ through video conference and asked Collectors of 14 coastal and southern districts to remain alert.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director, Bhubaneswar Centre SC Sahu, who attended the CM’s review meeting, told mediapersons that the cyclone Kyant is likely to move towards north Andhra Pradesh. However, the coastal region and adjacent districts may experience rainfall under its impact.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra said official holidays have been canceled and Government employees asked to remain in the field on October 29 and 30 to keep a watch on the situation.
The CM asked the Collectors to take steps to keep harvested paddy undercover as rain is expected under the influence of the cyclonic storm.
According to IMD, the cyclonic storm ‘KYANT’ over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-southwestwards in past six hours with a speed of nine kmph and lay centred at 650 km east-southeast of Gopalpur. The system is very likely to slightly intensify further during next 36 hours. The system will initially move west-northwestward and then west to west-southwestward towards west-central Bay of Bengal during next 72 hours. Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 km per hour gusting to 65 kmph is likely along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts from October 27.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 27. However, the weather will be dry over Odisha during next 24 hours.
According to Skymet Weather, Kyant will continue to move in west direction and gradual intensification is expected in next 24 hours. By the late night hours of October 27, Kyant is likely to change direction and start moving in a southwest direction.
Kyant will start weakening gradually from October 28. It is likely to make a landfall as a weak weather system, it said.