The Odisha government on Thursday ordered immediate evacuation of people from coastal villages after the deep depression over west-central Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm.
The system was likely to move north-westward and cross south Odisha by Thursday midnight. Under its impact, squally wind speed may gradually increase to 60-70 km per hour. District Collectors of Ganjam and Puri have been directed to move people from vulnerable pockets to safer places.
Taking stock of the situation, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik cancelled holiday of government employees in Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh, Puri and Gajapati districts on Friday and asked collectors to take appropriate steps to handle any crisis.
Meanwhile, heavy rain lashed different district since Wednesday evening. Three districts received average rainfall between 50 mm and 100 mm. The districts are Jagatsinghpur- 90.4 mm, Kendrapara-59.9 mm and Balasore- 52 mm.
