Odisha alerts district collectors as low-pressure area develops in sea

Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the IMD’s forecast on the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, Odisha government Tuesday put the collectors of all districts on alert and asked them to remain prepared to deal with the heavy rainfall and associated climatic changes.

The Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office in Odisha, in a letter to all the 30 district collectors, directed them to keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality and submit a report on the damage if that occurred due to thunderstorms, whirlwinds, hailstorms, lightning and rainfall immediately for information of the government.

“The districts under orange (be prepared) and yellow (be aware) warnings should keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality, while people may be advised to keep watch on the weather and take safe shelter during the thunderstorm activity to protect from lightning,” the letter said.

The advice for fishermen should be strictly implemented, the letter added.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to mid-tropospheric levels lay over Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal at 5.30am Tuesday.

“Under its influence, a low pressure is likely to form over the same area today. It is likely to become more marked,” the weather office said.

Meanwhile, the IMD in a forecast for Tuesday said that as many as 15 of the 30 districts of Odisha will experience thunderstorms with lightning with surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph during the afternoon/evening hours.

In view of the possible low-pressure area in the bay, the IMD advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea from May 29 to June 1 along and off the Odisha coast.

PTI

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