By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Orissa Monday raised the storm warning levels along its ports and alerted coastal residents as a cyclone formed in the Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been asked not to go out to sea.
“The danger signal number has been raised to seven and five at Chandbali and at Paradip ports,” D.C. Jena, an official of the meteorological centre here, told IANS.
Cyclone Aila lay centred about 140 km east of Paradip, he said.
The system is likely to intensify further and move in a northerly direction and cross the West Bengal coast later Monday, the official added.
Under its influence, gale winds of speed reaching 70-80 kmph are likely to occur along and off the coast, he said. It may increase in the afternoon to 90-100 kmph and may cause damage to thatched huts, uproot trees over coastal districts of north Orissa.
Several partS of the coastal districts have been witnessing moderate to heavy rain during the past 24 hours.
The state government Monday said all fishing operations in the sea have been suspended and fishermen have been alerted not to venture out to sea.
“We have alerted all officials in the coastal districts to remain prepared to tackle any situation,” state revenue secretary G.V.V. Sarma told IANS.