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Odisha and Andhra still not off Cyclone Roanu's path

by IBNS 20 May 2016, 08:23 am

New Delhi, May 20 (IBNS) Even as Indian naval ships rushed to Sri Lanka on Friday with relief material for the cyclone-hit nation, Indian states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are bracing for heavy rainfall after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued cyclone warnings for both states, according to media reports.

Cyclone Roanu, which rose in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Odisha, Andhra and West Bengal, with wind speeds varying between 90 and 100 kmph, according to IMD.
 
Fishermen in these areas have been warned against venturing out to sea during this period. 
 
Chief ministers of Odisha and Andhra have instructed government officials to be prepared for the storm and ensure that food and drinking water as well as medical supplies are in place and if required make arrangements for evacuation and have relief camps ready, media reported. 
 
The IMD said on its website on Thursday that the system is likely to cross south Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Cox's Bazar in the night of May 21 and  early morning of May 22 May as a cyclonic storm."
 
In Sri Lanka, according to reports, at least 18 people have been killed and 200 families missing following a series of mudslides.