Odisha asks people not to panic over possible cyclone in next 24 hours

Bhubaneswar: With the deep depression over east central Bay of Bengal likely to take the form of a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, Odisha government on Monday asked the people not to panic as it may not touch the state's coast at all.

"We are in constant touch with the IMD, New Delhi. Collectors of the 11 coastal districts have been asked to remain alert and ready to face any situation, if any. Fishermen have also been warned not to venture into the sea," Special Relief Commissioner P. K. Mohapatra told reporters.

The system now lies about 930 km east-southeast of Gopalpur. It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, IMD director, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahoo said.

It will move northwards for some time and then recurve initially north-northwestwards and then northwestwards. "It is very likely to reach northwest Bay of Bengal on the morning of October 27," Sahoo said.

Asking fishermen to be cautious while venturing into sea, Sahoo said the sea condition will remain very rough on October 27.

As the deep depression was likely to bring a lot of rain in the coastal region, Mohapatra advised the farmers to keep the harvested crops covered in the yard.

He said there is no need to panic about it as the system might not have any impact on Odisha and may move towards Bangladesh as per the prediction of IMD.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called a meeting tomorrow to hold discussions on the preparedness of the state in the event of possible cyclonic storm.

According to Mrutunjay Mohapatra, the chief of Cyclone Warning Centre, New Deli, the cyclone may recurve from Myanmar coast.

The model indicates that it would move towards northwest Bay of Bengal. The impact of the cyclonic storm on Odisha would be around October 26-27. It is likely to have impact on central and north Odisha," the Bhubaneswar IMD Director said.