Odisha Govt Fully Prepared to Face Cyclone Bulbul: Naveen

Bhubaneswar : The Odisha Government is fully prepared to face the possible impacts of cyclone Bulbul, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday.

The Chief Minister, who is in national capital to review some pending projects with the Centre, said that the State is fully prepared for the cyclone.

“We are fully prepared for the cyclone. We are expecting some heavy rains in some of the coastal districts. But, the cyclone will be moving towards Bangladesh,” Naveen told the media.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is heading towards West Bengal.

It is very likely to intensify further till early morning of 9th November. It may move nearly northwards till 9th November morning. Thereafter, it is expected to re-curve northeastwards and cross West Bengal – Bangladesh Coasts between Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh), across Sunderban delta by midnight of 9th November as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph.

Light to moderate rain at most places is very likely to occur over north coastal districts of Odisha with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts and with heavy rainfall at isolated places over Jajpur district on Saturday, the IMD said.

The State Government has directed the district collectors to evacuate people to safer places, if required and keep the administrative machinery ready for any situation arises due to bad weather.

Teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been sent to coastal districts as a part of the preparedness for the likely disaster, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena said.

The government has cancelled the holidays of the officials in the coastal districts and also announced closure of schools and Anganwadi centres in the nine districts on Saturday.