Lehar may trigger rain in Odisha

Odisha has not forgotten Phailin’s fury yet and Helen has just wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh. It is time for Lehar, a fresh cyclonic storm, to have formed over Andaman Sea.

The southern parts of Odisha may experience the impact of cyclonic storm Lehar, which is likely to hit the coast near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on Sunday.

In view of the cyclonic storm, the Odisha government on Monday asked 10 district administrations to remain on high alert.

As of now, the forecasts do not project any threat for the State but South Odisha will receive heavy showers.

Though there is no forecast for the State in next 24 hours, the IMD has directed hoisting of Distance Warning Signal No 2 at Gopalpur and Paradip ports.

As predicted by the Met department, three coastal districts such as Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsingpur might be affected by the storm while southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada may witness heavy showers under the impact of the natural disaster.

It has called upon the administration to take necessary measure to protect standing crops in south Odisha.