Cyclone alert in Odisha as storm Roanu intensifies

Heavy rainfall coupled with gusty surface wind is likely to pound some parts of Odisha as the deep depression over west-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm 'ROANU' on Thursday.

The deep depression over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved nearly north-northeastwards before intensifying into the cyclonic storm 'ROANU' and lay centred about 590 km southeast of Gopalpur, the Meteorological Centre said.

The system is likely to move north-northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast in the next 24 hours and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm. Subsequently, the system is likely to move northeastwards along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in 48 hours, it said.

Under its influence, rain and thundershower would occur at most places over south and north Odisha in the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places over south Odisha and heavy rainfall at one or two places over north Odisha, the Met office said.

One or two places over coastal and interior Odisha are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rainfall on Friday, it said.

In view of the weather conditions, Distant Cautionary Signal Number one was replaced by Distant Warning Signal Number Two at all ports in the state.

Gusty surface wind from southeasterly direction in south Odisha coast and southerly direction in north Odisha coast with 45 to 50 kmph speed and up to to 55 kmph will prevail along and off the Odisha coast.

Sea condition is very likely to be high to very high along and off Odisha coast till tomorrow, the MeT office said. The cyclonic storm is expected to cause damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and major damage to kutcha and minor damage to pucca roads over coastal Odisha.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea in Odisha coast, the Met office said.