Bhubaneswar: Multiple weather models, including the IMD’s have predicted that JAWAD would be a Severe Cyclonic Storm which would make a landfall somewhere in Puri district around noon on December 5 (Sunday).
However, there is no clarity so far on whether this cyclone will enter landmass or skirt the Odisha coast and head north northeastwards towards the Bay, said Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena. “There is slight directional change in the path of this cyclone. By Saturday morning, we will be able to get a clearer picture,” said Jena.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday evening, Jena said, 470 kms from Gopalpur and 580 kms from Paradip. It is moving at a speed of 22 kmph over the last 6 hours. On December 4 (Saturday), the system will recurve from near North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coast.
When it reaches Puri coast, the wind speed would be 80 kmph gusting up to 90 to 95 kmph. From Friday night, coastal districts of Odisha will experience heavy to very rains. The wind speed will be around 60 to 65 kmph on the night of 5th December.
Total 22,700 small and big fishing boats have returned to the coast. All Odisha boats have been accounted for. 40 fishing boat from Andhra Pradesh was stranded in the sea for which Ganjam district administration was asked to facilitate its entry into Gopalpur Port, said Jena.
“The Chief Secretary had a meeting with senior officials and I had a couple of meetings with Collectors. Total 247 teams of ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Service have been deployed in the coastal districts. We have instructed Collectors of coastal district to ensure a hassle-free and safe evacuation,” Jena added.
Telecom operators, Electricity DISCOMS, and Engineering Departments are on high alert to carry out restoration activities in the aftermath of the cyclone. Senior officials will be stationed at Control Rooms in the district and at the State Capital on December 4 and 5, said Jena and added, “The Chief Minister has directed us to ensure zero casualty mission of the State Government.”
