Odisha Government on High Alert: Evacuation Plans in Motion as Cyclone ‘Michaung’ Nears Coastline
As the severe cyclone ‘Michaung’ approaches the Bay of Bengal, southern districts of Odisha are experiencing light to moderate rainfall, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the coming hours. This article provides an overview of the current situation, the impact on Odisha, and the measures taken to ensure public safety.
Current Weather Conditions:
Odisha’s Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts have been receiving rainfall since Monday evening. According to the Meteorological Department, Gajapati recorded 8.5 mm rainfall, followed by 8.3 mm in Koraput, 3.9 mm in Ganjam, 2.5 mm in Malkangiri, and 1.5 mm in Rayagada between 5.30 pm on Monday and 8.30 am on Tuesday.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra assured on Monday that while there would be no major impact on Odisha, heavy rain is expected in some areas of the eastern state on Tuesday.
Cyclone’s Movement:
The severe cyclonic storm, positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal along and off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, has moved northwards. At 8.30 am on Tuesday, it was centered approximately 40 km northeast of Kavali, 80 km north-northeast of Nellore, 80 km south-southwest of Baptala, and 140 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam.
The IMD bulletin predicts that the system will move nearly northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, crossing close to Bapatla during the next four hours as a severe cyclone with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.
Precautionary Measures and Rescue Operations:
Anticipating the cyclone’s impact, authorities in Odisha have deployed five teams of ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) and eight teams from the fire service department for rescue operations in the five southern districts – Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam, as informed by the state’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu.
Warnings and Advisories:
The IMD has issued a yellow warning of heavy rain for one or two places in several districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Rayagada, on December 6. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea along and off the Odisha coast during December 4-6.
As Cyclone ‘Michaung’ intensifies and inches closer to the coast, authorities in Odisha are on high alert. Residents are urged to stay informed, follow safety guidelines, and take necessary precautions to mitigate potential risks associated with the severe cyclonic conditions. The situation will continue to be closely monitored as the cyclone progresses.
