Cyclone warning issued: Odisha and Andhra to face impact tonight, rain alert in 8 states

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and is rapidly moving toward the coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning in its latest bulletin, stating that the storm could hit the coasts of Odisha and adjacent Andhra Pradesh by late Thursday (October 2). Strong winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour are expected during this period.

According to the Meteorological Department, the storm's impact will not be limited to coastal states. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds is expected in many parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and eastern Uttar Pradesh over the next five days. The IMD has issued an alert for these states.

Odisha has been put on high alert in view of the storm's threat. Heavy rains have been continuing in the coastal and southern regions of the state since Wednesday. To deal with the situation, the state government has already deployed rescue teams and necessary machinery in vulnerable districts. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain warning for all 30 districts of the state today.

According to the International Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is expected to cross the Odisha-Andhra coast between Gopalpur and Paradip. In view of the threat, the Meteorological Department has strongly advised fishermen not to venture into the sea near the Odisha coast until October 3. In addition, it has recommended raising "Local Warning Signal Number-3" (LC-3) at all ports in the state.

The Meteorological Department stated that the storm will weaken by October 3, with wind speeds decreasing to 45 to 55 kilometers per hour. However, its effects may persist for the next few days.