Cyclone and rain may mar Dussehra festivities in certain parts of the country, including West Bengal and Odisha. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), depression developing over east central Bay of Bengal has generated into super cyclonic storm Phailin, which may affect the coastal States of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours.
According to sources in IMD, the 45-65 kmph high speed wind would hit coastal Odisha and parts of north Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of October 11. This would increase in intensity further with speed reaching 175-185 kmph along Odisha coast at the time of landfall.
The state of the sea is expected to range between rough and very rough from October 11 in Odisha, North Andhra and along West Bengal. Storm surge guidance will be issued from the warning stage of cyclone.
Weather experts have warned of heavy rain in the coastal areas. The rain would commence over coastal Odisha on October 12 morning and then extend to interior parts of the State.
The storm is likely to affect the coastal areas of Gangetic West Bengal from the morning of October 13. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would also occur over north-central
Andhra Pradesh.
IMD sources have predicted extensive damage in Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh by the super cyclone. In addition to potential threat from flying debris and flooding of escape routes, the storm may cause widespread damage to kutcha houses, and may lead to disruption of power and communication lines, including rail and road traffic.
The IMD has advised total suspension of fishing activity from October 11 when the cyclone would be 500 kms from the coast and asked fishermen out at sea along north Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coast to return to base. The Odisha Government has already issued a high alert and cancelled Dussehra holidays for employees in 14 vulnerable districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
Further, with the low pressure continuing to persist over north Madhya Pradesh, rain is likely to continue there and in Chhattisgarh for the next two days. Showers will also be witnessed in east Rajasthan with the easterly winds reaching up to the northwest plains.
The weather is, however, expected to remain largely warm and dry in north India, including Delhi, for the rest of the week. There may be light showers in parts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and northwest UP on October 11.