By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Met office has sounded alert for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda (including Bhubaneswar), Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Balasore districts.
IMD regional centre here issued a thunderstorm and lightning warning for 13 districts of Odisha till 1.30 pm on Friday.
As per the latest bulletin, moderate thunderstorm and lightning with light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over these districts between 10.30 am to 1.30 pm today.
The weatherman has also cautioned people in these districts to stay indoors and take shelter in buildings and other safe locations as a precautionary measure.
With Cyclone “Bulbul” intensifying every minute, India Meteorological Dept issues forecast for Odisha for the next five days.
As per reports, a yellow warning has been issued for Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts for today. Similarly, Orange alert has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara & Jagatsinghpur districts on Friday.
eanwhile, Paradip has started experiencing rainfall as cyclone ‘Bulbul’ inches close to the shore.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), PK Jena said as per IMD predictions, coastal Odisha is likely to experience wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph on Friday accompanied by heavy to very heavy downpour.
In view of the weather condition, all schools and anganwadi centres will remain closed on Friday and Saturday in Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts, an official said in the Odisha capital.
Odisha government has also decided to deploy NDRF and ODRAF teams in coastal districts of the State as a precautionary measure following the India Meteorological Department forecast.
Residents of low lying areas have been advised not to venture out of their home during heavy rain.
