IMD Bhubaneshwar: Rainfall likely over north districts of Odisha

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director HR Biswas on Saturday stated that heavy rains with a high-speed wind of 70-80 kph are expected in the north coastal districts of Odisha due to the cyclonic storm 'Bulbul'.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with high-speed wind 70-80 kmph is likely to occur in the north coastal districts of Jagatsingpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapada within 24 hours under impact of severe cyclonic storm Bulbul," he said while interacting with a media agency in Bhubaneshwar. 

The IMD Director also informed about Odisha Government's Chief Secretary, visiting the IMD MeT department for reviewing the status of the cyclonic storm.

"The officials are at work and coordinating with different teams to provide a minute to minute update to the people. Paradip district has received rainfall of 106.9 millimeters in the last 24 hours across Odisha," Biswas added.

Adding further he also informed that the rainfall will decrease after 24 hours in all cyclonic-affected regions and the sky may remain cloudy. "The fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till Sunday (November 10)," he said.
Cyclone 'Bulbul' is moving towards West Bengal and Bangladesh. It may hit Bangladesh with a wind speed of around 110-120 kmph during late evening or night today. 

READ | Cyclone 'Bulbul' intensifies; rain pounds parts of West Bengal, Odisha

3000 people evacuated so far

Around 3,000 people have so far been evacuated from vulnerable and low-lying areas in some coastal regions of the state, officials said. The Kendrapara district administration has evacuated 1,070 people to safe shelters, and over 1,500 were shifted in Balasore and Jagatsinhgpur districts, they said. 

READ | Cyclone Bulbul: B'desh authorities issue the most severe storm alert

NCMC Holds Meeting To Review Preparedness

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Friday held a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba to review the preparedness to deal with severe cyclone 'Bulbul' over the Bay of Bengal. In the NCMC meeting, officials of the West Bengal and Odisha government stated that they have made the necessary preparations required by them. They informed that SDRF and Fire Service teams have been positioned, whereas fishing operations have also been suspended and the people living in low lying areas are being evacuated to shelter homes. 

"14 teams of NDRF have been positioned, additional teams are being deployed at the request of states. Officials of Ministry of Defence intimated that teams of Coast Guard, Indian Navy are already deployed and Army and Air Force are on standby," a press release by the Government of India stated. 

READ | Cyclone Maha Causes Early Snowfall In Kashmir, Says Met Dept

READ | Cyclone 'Bulbul' May Turn 'very Severe', Likely To Move Towards WB

(With inputs from ANI)