Cyclone: Odisha govt asks officials to remain alert

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday issued alerts to officials of the coastal districts after the depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm.

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Thursday held a meeting with concerned departments to deal with the cyclonic storm, which is likely to cross Gopalpur coast tonight.

“As per the latest prediction of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone which will cross Gopalpur coast tonight,” said Padhi.

Padhi further informed that districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda are likely to experience maximum wind speed of 60 to 70 km/hr gusting up to a speed of 80 km/hr.

He said the concerned department has been put on alert and the situation is being closely monitored.

Collectors of Ganjam and Puri districts asked to evacuate people from low-lying and vulnerable areas after the high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.

Holidays of government employees cancelled in five districts of Odisha. Holiday for Muharram tomorrow cancelled in Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri and Khordha districts, said sources.