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Authorities have sounded alert in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over Cyclone Jawad. Even as preparations to deal with the cyclone are in full swing, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm today.

The IMD said that the depression was moving towards Odisha’s coast at the speed of 32 kmph.

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“The depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards at a speed of 32 kmph during the past six hours. It has intensified into a deep depression and laid centered at 5:30 am today (December 2, 2021) over the west-central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal near Lat. 13.4°N and Long. 86.4°E, about 580 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 670 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 760 km south-southwest of Paradip (Odisha),” said HR Biswas, Director, Regional Met Centre.

“The deep depression is likely to continue to move northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours,” the IMD said.

“It is likely to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts by tomorrow morning (December 4). Thereafter, it is likely to recurve north-northeast wards and move along north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts during the subsequent 24 hours with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph,” the IMD said.

Cyclone Jawad is likely to hit the Odisha coast on the morning of December 4. “The IMD will give a clear picture on Friday about the position, path and movement of the cyclone,” said Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena.

Cyclone Jawad: Odisha govt, farmers step up preparations

As many as 14 districts of Odisha have been put on high alert. The Odisha government, different agencies, departments including Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and districts have stepped up preparations to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Jawad.

Meanwhile, concerned about incessant rains under the influence of the impending cyclone, farmers have resorted to ‘panic harvest’ fearing crop loss. They have started wrapping up their harvesting and dispatch the grains to safer places before the spells of rain begin.

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Many of them have also started harvesting immature paddy crops to avoid the harm that might be caused by rain and strong winds during the cyclone.

District administration informed farmers to harvest those matured crops and also shift to dry and safer places.

Till Thursday evening, a total of 266 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), ODRAF and the fire service were already deployed in the coastal districts, Khurda and Cuttack, besides 50 teams are on standby.

Meanwhile, the evacuation process from the low lying areas and kutcha (Mud) houses will begin from Friday afternoon.

Khurda and Koraput district administration has also cancelled the leaves of all the government officials in the district with immediate effect till December 5. Similar orders from other districts are expected on Friday.\

Also, all schools in Visakhapatnam have been ordered to remain closed on Friday and Saturday.

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India today

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