Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today instructed District Collectors to remain on alert in view of the possible formation of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
At an emergency meeting convened by the Special Relief Commissioner In-Charge Satyabrat Sahu today, Collectors of districts likely to be affected by the possible cyclone were put on alert, informed Executive Director of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) Gyana Dash.
Leaves of Government employees has been cancelled and they have been asked to remain present in headquarters, Dash added.
Earlier in the day, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the prevailing weather system is likely to take the shape of a cyclone around October 23 or 24.
“We have not predicted the intensity and possible area of landfall of the impending cyclone as it is yet to take the shape of a low pressure area,” Mohapatra clarified.
The IMD has said that the cyclonic circulation formed over south Andaman Sea and the neighbourhood on Monday now lies over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood.
Under its influence a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours, it said.
The system is likely to move west-north westwards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over central Bay of Bengal.
It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal subsequently.
