The cyclonic storm Mahasen is likely to intensify further and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong on Thursday night, with the local Met department forecasting rain or thundershower at many places of Odisha accompanied by strong surface winds.
The cyclonic storm over west central Bay of Bengal moved north—north eastwards today and lay centred near latitude 16.50 N and longitude 87.00 E about 430 km south—southeast of Paradip.
It would intensify further and move north eastwards and cross Bangladesh Coast between Khepupara and Teknaff close to Chittagong on Thursday night, the meteorological centre, Bhubaneshwar said.
Under its impact, rain or thundershower would occur at many places over Odisha during the next 24 hours, it said, adding strong and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40—50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from north easterly direction would prevail along and off Odisha Coast.
Sea condition would be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea, while Distant Warning Signal Number—Two (DW—II) are replaced by Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC—III) at all ports in Odisha.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has asked the administration in ten coastal and nearby districts to remain alert to meet any eventuality, official sources said.
