Odisha sounds cyclone alert, informs MHA to keep choppers ready

BHUBANESWAR: With a depression in the Bay of Bengal intensifying and likely to take the shape of a cyclonic storm in the next two days, Odisha government today asked the Union Home Ministry to keep helicopters ready for rescue and relief operations.

The depression over the north Andaman Sea might intensify into a deep depression and a cyclonic storm by tomorrow, an official release said.

"Prediction as of now indicates that the system may make landfall on October 12," Special Relief Commissioner Pradip Kumar Mohapatra told reporters here.

"Depending on the situation, the state government may require the assistance of defence forces especially the Indian Air Force for rescue and relief operations by air," Mohapatra said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority have been requested to make advance arrangements to keep in readiness IAF helicopters and NDRF personnel at short notice, he said.

The MHA, NDMA and other departments have been told to remain prepared for a possible cyclonic storm, he said.