Bhubaneswar, May 20 (IANS) Several parts of Odisha experienced heavy rainfall with the cyclonic storm 'Roanu' formed over Bay of Bengal moving closer towards the state on Friday.
The cyclonic storm over west central and northwest Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards at a speed of 20 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 50 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, said a bulletin of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
"The system is likely to move northeastwards along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours. Thereafter, the system is likely to move east-northeastwards and cross south Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Cox's Bazar, close to Chittagong in the evening of May 21, as a cyclonic storm," said the IMD.
Meanwhile, several parts of Odisha including capital city received heavy rains under the impact of the cyclonic storm. Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) was replaced by Danger Signal Number Five (D-V) at all ports in Odisha, said IMD. It said that gusty cyclonic surface wind speed reaching 90 to 100 kmph with gusting to 110 kmph in south Odisha coast and 60 to 70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph in north Odisha would occur.
The state government has asked all district collectors especially the coastal districts to remain alert to meet any eventuality arising out of the cyclone.
Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Mona Sharma said the government has made all necessary arrangements to face the possible cyclone.
