OdishaPlus Bureau
With Cyclone “Bulbul” set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm soon and trigger heavy rain in Odisha, the state government has issued a revised advisory asking the districts to brace up for possible flood-like situation and waterlogging even as the Prime Minister’s Office reviewed the preparedness by states likely to be affected at a high-level meeting.
Pramod Kumar Mishra Principal Secretary to Prime Minister held a high-level meeting on Thursday with the States of Odisha, West Bengal and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review preparedness to deal with the situation.
Director-General, India Meteorological Department Mrutynjaya Mahapatra gave a detailed forecast on the cyclone presenting ‘Bulbul’s projected path and accompanying wind speed and rainfall in the sea and along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. The Chief Secretaries of these states informed about all precautionary measures taken in the coastal regions and monitoring done in the districts on a 24×7 basis.
Though cyclone “Bulbul” over the Bay of Bengal is set to move towards Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts, skirting Odisha, it will unleash heavy to very heavy rain in over ten coastal and northern districts in the state for at least three days from Friday.
As per IMD predictions, coastal Odisha is also likely to experience wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph on Friday accompanied by heavy to very heavy downpour. Earlier, the IMD had predicted light to moderate rainfall accompanied by the wind with 40 to 50 kmph in north coastal Odisha under its impact.
In view of rough weather, all schools and Anganwadis will remain closed on Friday and Saturday in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara districts.
Cyclone Bulbul, moving at a speed of 15 kmph, is now centered over the east-central Bay of Bengal, about 560 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 680 km south- southeast of Sagar Islands in West Bengal.
It is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, move initially north-northwestwards for the next 12 hours and then towards northwards till Saturday morning. Thereafter, it is likely to re-curve northeastwards towards Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal.
With the IMD modifying its predictions, Odisha government has asked the district collectors, mainly in the coastal and northern regions, to be prepared to deal with any situation as the cyclone may trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas, the SRC said. While the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas may be undertaken wherever necessary, around 15 of the state’s 30 districts have been asked to remain prepared to deal with any possible waterlogging and flood-like situation.
Around 15 districts, including Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj, have been asked to keep their administrative machinery “fully prepared” to tackle any contingency.
Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and NDRF have also been requested to send their teams to districts to assist the administration in dealing with the calamity. Officials have been told to ensure total suspension of fishing operations from Friday. No fisherman should venture into the sea from Friday till further notice and those inside sea must return immediately, he said. Farmers have also been advised to take steps to protect crops and harvested paddy.
The cyclone is expected to cause damage to thatched houses, huts, embankments and salt pans, while unattached metal sheets may fly. It may cause partial damage to power and communication lines, major damage to Kutcha (non-metallic) and some damage to Pucca (Metalic) roads.
There may be breaking of tree branches, uprooting of trees due to the cyclone which is likely to cause major damage to coastal crops, the SRC said adding people in the affected areas should remain indoor. Under the impact of the cyclone, heavy rainfall is likely to take place in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Bhadrak districts on Friday and Saturday. IMD has issued a “yellow warning” (be aware) for these districts during the period.
Similarly, it issued an “orange warning” (be prepared) for Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur districts on Saturday and Sunday when heavy to very heavy rainfall may pound these areas. Heavy rainfall will also lash some places in Cuttack, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts on Sunday.