Bhubaneswar: With low pressure taking
shape of depression off Balasore coast, Orissa government
on Monday sounded an alert and announced two-day holiday for all
schools in the district, official sources said.
"All the schools in Balasore district will remain
closed for two days in view of weather conditions," Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik said, adding district officials have
been asked to remain alert for any eventuality.
"The low pressure over Bay of Bengal, about 160 km
from Balasore coast, has taken shape of a depression and is
moving in very slow speed," the met office here said
predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall under its impact
across the state.
Besides, wind speed ranging from 45 to 65 kmph was
also expected along the coast, they said.
The weather experts who were initially expecting the
system to pass between Balasore and Digha in neighbouring West
Bengal by this evening, were worried over its slow movement.
"We are not sure what will happen. It may take shape
of deep depression as system moves slowly," said an official
adding fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea.
Patnaik asked the officials to remain alert with food
materials, medicines and other essential materials for any
eventuality.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, July 20, 2009, 23:23