Depression over Central BoB: SRC Directs Collectors of Four Dists to Take Preparatory Measures

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu on Friday directed the Collectors of four districts to ensure preparatory measures in view of depression over central Bay of Bengal.

The SRC wrote to the Collectors of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj asking them to remain in alert and take all preparatory measures to face any eventuality.

IMD, Bhubaneswar has intimated that the well-marked low pressure area over westcentral and adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards concentrated into a depression today morning and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of today over Central Bay of Bengal, and moved northeastwards with a speed of 20 kmph during past 03 hours, and lay centered at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 24th May, 2024 over the same region near latitude 15.5 degree N and longitiude 88.7 degree E, about 730 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and 750 km south of canning (West Bengal), the SRC said.

It is very likely to continue to move northeastwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over eastcentral Bay of Bengal by May 25 morning. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around 26th May midnight as a severe cyclonic storm, the letter added.

Under it impact, there is possibility of wind speed reaching 40 to 50 kmph accompanied with heavy to very heavy rain at most places of the four districts – Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.

The SRC urged the Collectors of these districts to remain in alert and take all preparatory measures to face any eventuality. The situation of the district should be informed to the office of SRC from time to time, the letter stated.