Bhubaneswar: In light of an impending severe cyclonic storm, Odisha’s Additional Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Padmanav Behera, has directed District Collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore to enforce a strict ban on fishing activities from October 16 to 26. This directive follows a mid-day weather warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday.
The SRC’s letter emphasizes the urgency of the situation, advising all fishermen currently at sea to return to the coast immediately. “Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast,” the letter stated, further instructing district authorities to ensure compliance and provide certification that all fishermen have returned safely.
The IMD has issued cyclone warnings for both Odisha and West Bengal, with Odisha likely to bear the brunt of the storm. A cyclonic circulation over the North Andaman Sea is expected to evolve into a low-pressure system in the East-central Bay of Bengal over the next 24 hours. This system will move west-northwestwards, intensifying into a depression by the morning of October 22, and potentially developing into a cyclonic storm by October 23.
The storm is projected to move towards the northwest Bay of Bengal, with landfall anticipated along the Odisha-West Bengal coast by the morning of October 24. Local authorities remain on high alert, with preparations underway to minimize damage and ensure the safety of coastal communities.