The State’s coastal districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in next 24 hours under the influence of cyclonic storm ‘Mora’, said the Regional Office of India Meteorological Department (IMD) here on Monday.
Rains would lash Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts as the ‘Mora’ is moving in northeast direction towards Bangladesh at 19 km per hour, informed IMD Regional Director Sarat Chandra Sahu, adding that pre-monsoon showers would continue in the State till May 30.
He further predicted that the ‘Mora’ would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall in the Bangladesh coast on Tuesday. The warning signal no 2 has been issued at the Paradip and Gopalpur ports in view of the cyclone. Fishermen have also been cautioned against venturing into the sea.
Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheshwar Mohanty held an emergency meeting at the State Secretariat on the day to take stock of the situation. The Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, Bhadrak and Jajpur were asked to remain alert.