Bhubaneswar: May 20: Cycle Roanu is gaining strength to form severe Cyclone soon. It currently lays centred at about 280 kilometres off Gopalpur coast over west-central Bay of Bengal. Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) has been replaced by Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) at all ports in Odisha. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea, said Regional Meteorological Centre. It is moving in north-east direction along and off the Andha Pradesh and Odisha Coast whereas the speed of system is around 14 km per hour.
Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains are expected in coastal parts of Odisha, with few places may recording extremely heavy showers within next 48 hours. Besides heavy rainfall, Odisha may witness Squally winds of 80 kmph – 90 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph.
Odisha Government is continuously monitoring the Cyclone and collectors of coastal districts to stay alert and prepare for any eventualities. The districts that have been put on alert are Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsinghpur.
