Cyclone Jawad: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a weather system over the Andaman Sea is set to intensify into a cyclone over the Bay of Bengal and barrel towards the east coast by the middle of the week? Reports suggest that it is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast around December 4.
The storm will be called Jawad (read as Jowad) after it has developed into full form; Designated by Saudi Arabia. This will be the third cyclone to move towards the east coast this year after Yas in May and Gulab in September.
A yellow alert has been issued for heavy rain on December 3 and 4 in the Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayanagar districts of Andhra Pradesh. ‘Orange’ alert with very heavy rain likely (115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours), issued for Odisha’s Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, and Nayagarh districts on December 3 and 4 Has been done.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that there is a possibility of heavy rain at isolated places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea from December 3 to 5.
East Coast Railway canceled 95 trains for 3 days
The East Coast Railway said that it has canceled the operation of 95 trains for three days from Thursday in view of the forecast of the cyclonic storm hitting the Odisha coast.
As a precautionary measure for the safety of passengers, 95 mail and express trains originating from different places and passing through the area have been canceled from December 2-4, according to an ECoR statement.
Heavy rain likely over South Bengal over the weekend due to cyclonic storm: MeT
The Meteorological Department said on Thursday that heavy to very heavy rains with strong winds are likely to occur in various districts of South Bengal during the weekend, as a cyclonic storm is approaching the Bay of Bengal.
According to a defense official, the Indian Coast Guard has tasked its aircraft and ships to provide weather warnings to sailors, triggering a pre-emptive action to protect life and property at sea.
The West Bengal government said that it has decided to deploy two teams of NDRF and two teams of SDRF in coastal areas in view of the possibility of damage from the impending storm. People living in low-lying areas are being evacuated.
According to the Meteorological Department, the low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to concentrate into a deep depression and further intensify into a cyclonic storm. Around the morning of December 4 (Saturday), the system is expected to touch west central Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts, and then again curve in a north-northeast direction towards West Bengal coast.
The Meteorological Department said that heavy to very heavy rains may occur at one or two places over East Midnapore and heavy to very heavy rain at one or two places in West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Howrah on Saturday. Apart from this, heavy to very heavy rain is very likely at one or two places over Kolkata, East and West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Howrah districts on December 5 (Sunday).
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is very likely over North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram and Howrah on Saturday. The Meteorological Department said that the wind speed is likely to increase to 40 to 50 kmph on Sunday, which will affect Kolkata.
The meteorologist said that fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea from December 3 (Friday) as wind speed reaching 60 to 70 kmph and gusting to 80 kmph is very likely in the adjoining areas.
The Meteorological Department has given a call to restrict the movement of tourists on the beaches in view of the impending cyclonic storm. Also water sports activities will be temporarily stopped.
Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft have started recalling fishermen who have ventured into the high seas to return to the safety of ports. In this regard, the defense official said that so far 55 boats have been sent back to the coast.
“Close liaison with the local authorities is being maintained by the ICG to keep track of the fishing boats in the sea,” he added.
A state government official said that two teams of NDRF would be deployed at Namkhana and Kakdweep and two teams of SDRF at Patharpratima and Sagar Island.
“About 11,000 people living in low-lying areas will be shifted from their residences as a precautionary measure,” the official said.
The official also said that multipurpose flood shelters, ambulances and other vehicles have been kept ready and “adequate” relief material, including rice, tarpaulins, clothes and blankets, have been stocked at important places.
According to the official, control rooms have been opened to monitor the situation.
The official further said that the Agriculture Department has advised farmers to go for early harvesting of crops.