Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Montha is gaining strength in the Bay of Bengal. It is expected to intensify into a deep depression today. By the morning of the 27th (Monday), it is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
It is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the next 48 hours, by the morning of October 28 (Tuesday). The cyclone is expected to move northwest and make landfall on the evening or night of October 28 (Tuesday). It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has predicted wind speeds of 90-100 kmph during this time.
The Meteorological Department has not issued any rain warning for any district in the state today (Sunday). However, South Odisha will be most affected by Cyclone Montha from the 27th to the 30th. During this period, heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for various districts.
An orange alert has been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kandhamal for heavy rainfall on Monday (October 27). Similarly, a yellow alert has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, Nayagarh, Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur for heavy rainfall.
October 28 Rain Warning
A red alert has been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday (October 28). An orange alert has been issued for Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khordha, and Puri. A yellow alert has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj.
Rainfall alert from October 29th to 30th
Similarly, due to heavy rainfall between October 29th and 30th, a red alert has been issued for Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Rayagada, an orange alert for Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Ganjam, and a yellow alert for Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur.
Tourist spots closed in Gajapati district
In view of the potential cyclone, the District Collector has ordered the closure of all tourist spots in Gajapati district. Starting today, all tourist spots in the district will remain closed until further notice.
Holidays Cancelled in 5 Districts
Currently, according to orders issued by the Ganjam, Kendrapara, Balasore, Kalahandi, and Malkangiri district administrations, leave for all government employees in the districts has been cancelled. According to the Ganjam District Magistrate’s order, no officer will leave headquarters from October 25th to 30th. Leave will be granted only under special circumstances after the District Magistrate’s permission. Similarly, the Balasore District Magistrate’s order also cancels all leave. All officers have been ordered to work at headquarters. No officer can leave headquarters without the District Magistrate’s permission. Wind speeds in Odisha will be 60 to 70 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 80 kilometers per hour. The winds will be most severe in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Light rain is expected on the 30th, and fishermen have been prohibited from venturing into the sea from the 26th to the 30th. Danger signal number 3 has been issued at all ports.
The government is fully prepared to deal with the cyclone.
The Odisha government is preparing based on past experience and the weather forecast. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed the affected district collectors to plan ahead and make final preparations. The government will decide tomorrow on canceling official leave and canceling school and college holidays.
