Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rains in many of the coastal and southern districts due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung. According to the IMD, Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamilnadu coasts moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours. The system is likely to cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon today as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
Due to the impact of the Cyclone, light to moderate rain or thundershower are very likely to occur at many places over the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapti, Ganjam, Puri and at a few places over the districts of Kandhamal, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack.
The IMD has issued Orange warning for five districts – Malkangiri, Koraput, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada, which are like ly to receive heavy rains. The Gajapati administration has declared all schools in the district to be closed tomorrow. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off Odisha coast adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal till Wednesday.