Cyclonic Storm Roanu: Naveen Directs Administration To Remain Prepared

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday directed the administration to remain prepared to face the cyclonic storm ‘Roanu’, which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight.

Holding a review meeting here, the Chief Minister directed that no government employees will be allowed to take leave on May 20-21 in the affected districts.

The government has kept ready 10 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services in view of the cyclone. If required, more teams would be deployed, said a release of Chief Minister’s Office.

The Chief Minister will hold a meeting with district collectors through video conferencing on Thursday evening to discuss the preparedness for the cyclonic storm Roanu.

Meanwhile, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclonic storm lay centred over west central Bay of Bengal, which is about 530 km south-west of Gopalpur in Odisha.

The system is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours, after that northeastwards. The system is likely intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight, said IMD.