Cyclone Kyant to spare Odisha, may trigger rain in coastal districts

Cyclone Kyant formed over the Bay of Bengal, which is heading towards Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast, is likely to spare Odisha.

The cyclonic storm may trigger rain in coastal districts of the state on Thursday and Friday, the met office has predicted.

But the Odisha government is bracing for the possible landfall of Cyclone Kyant on October 27 by kicking off massive preparations.

Special relief commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra on Monday said the government was in constant touch with India Meteorological Department (IMD) to keep track of the cyclone. “We have asked collectors of the coastal districts to remain alert,” he added.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who earned praise for his handling of Cyclone Phailin three years ago, is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting to review the government’s preparedness on Tuesday.

“There is no need to panic at all. The effect of cyclone Kyant over Odisha will be not very significant. Moderate or little rain will occur in the coastal districts,” said Sarat Chandra Sahu, director of IMD’s Bhubaneswar regional office.

The cyclone is currently located at 660 kms east southeast from Gopalpur and moving in west southwest direction towards west central bay. The trajectory of the cyclone indicated it may not landfall at all or may hit the land somewhere between Vishakhapatnam and Chennai coast, met sources said.

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