Odisha on alert as Bay of Bengal weather system likely to intensify into cyclone

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up preparedness as a low-pressure area forming over the Strait of Malacca and the adjoining South Andaman Sea is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 48 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

According to officials, the developing system may bring rainfall to several coastal districts of Odisha between November 25 and 27.

Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the state has activated its disaster response mechanism and is ready to deal with any situation arising from the potential cyclone. “We have taken advance precautionary measures to ensure all government machinery is fully equipped, even if the system intensifies further,” he said during a media briefing.

Pujari added that the weather system is currently positioned about 1,000 km away from the Odisha coast. More clarity regarding its track and intensity is expected on November 24. He noted that some coastal regions are likely to experience the impact of the system over the next three days.

(with inputs from agencies)