Lehar weakens, storm warning signals lowered at ports

Much to the relief of the people of the southern and coastal districts in the state, cyclonic storm Lehar, which was predicted to hit the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coast with a very severe intensity, today weakened significantly to the status of a depression and crossed the land at around 1,400 hours.

"The deep depression over west central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards, weakened into a depression and crossed Andhra Pradesh coast around 1400 hrs today and lay centred at 1430 hours close to south of Machillipatnam. It would move west-northwestwards and weaken further into a well-marked low pressure area during next 12 hours," the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre said in its latest bulletin.

Elaborate arrangements had been made by the state government, including deployment of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) in the districts anticipated to be impacted by the cyclonic storm as a precautionary measure.

Last month, about 18 districts were affected by the very severe cyclonic storm Phailin that ripped through the state on October 12 wreaking large scale damage to power infrastructure and agricultural land.

Hence, this time, the farmers were advised to keep their harvested paddy under cover so as to avoid any loss due to rain keeping in view the impending cyclone.

With the weakening of Lehar's intensity, the weatherman has advised to lower the distance warning signals at all the ports of the state.

However, the met centre has forecast rain or thunder shower at one or two places over south and interior parts of Odisha during next 24 hours. The districts collectors have been asked to take necessary steps to protect the standing crops because of the warning of rain fall in the southern districts of the state.

The warning for the fishermen remained intact and they have been asked not to venture into the sea as the condition of the sea would be moderate to rough along and off Odisha coast. Surface wind speed reaching 20 to 30 kilometres per hour gusting to 40 kmph would prevail along and off Odisha coast during next 24hours, the met department said. Lehar weakened rapidly as the cyclone entered into the region of colder sea surface and hence the condition of lower ocean thermal energy among others, said IMD.