India's Odisha alerts of possible cyclone over Bay of Bengal

The government of the eastern Indian state of Odisha today sounded an alert of a possible cyclone over the Bay of Bengal as a cyclonic circulation over South Andaman Sea and neighbourhood persisted and could result in a depression with a wind speed of up to 75km per hour by May 8.

The authorities in Odisha asked all the 18 districts to be prepared for any situation, our New Delhi correspondent reports quoting ANI.

Odisha Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra said, "The state is well-prepared for the eventuality, if any. District collectors have been informed about the possible calamity."

Odisha, whose long coast runs along the Bay of Bengal, often bears the brunt of cyclones and super cyclone.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) senior scientist Umashankar Das told ANI that "the cyclonic circulation around Andaman sea will repeat tomorrow and move towards north-west. As per our estimate, wind speed now on would hover between 40-50 km/hr, it will further increase May 8 onwards and can go upto 75 km/hr".

The IMD has warned fishermen around the Andaman Sea and east-central as well as south east region of Bay of Bengal against venturing out in the sea.