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Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (IANS) Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday said the state government is fully prepared to deal with any situation arising out of a possible cyclonic storm developing in the Bay of Bengal.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Suresh Pujari said: “We have already made detailed plans to deal with any possible situation, and we are fully prepared. It will be good for Odisha if the cyclone does not hit the state. But even if it happens, we are prepared to face the situation.”
The minister also said that the government and district administrations in potentially sensitive areas are alert and equipped to deal with any emergency.
Urging people not to panic, Suresh Pujari reminded that Odisha has a strong track record in effectively managing cyclones.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister further said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted three cyclonic systems between October 21 and 30. While the first system bypassed Odisha, a new low pressure area has formed and is moving west-northwestwards.
The IMD expects it to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 27, causing moderate to heavy rainfall and wind speed of 30-40 km/hr over southern, western and interior districts on October 28 and 29.
The IMD further warned that the system may intensify into a depression by October 25, a deep depression by October 26 and a cyclonic storm by October 27 over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, IMD officer Dr. Manorama Mohanty said that fishermen have been advised not to go into the sea from October 26 to 29.
Mohanty also warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall with lightning may occur over many coastal and interior districts during this period.
–IANS
gyan/pgh