Cyclone ‘Pabuk’ approaching Andaman and Nicobar islands: Met department

The Met department informed that the cyclonic storm, ‘Pabuk’ will emerge in the Andaman Sea around forenoon on January 5th. Heavy to heavy rain is expected in few places over the islands and wind speed will be gusting between 55-65 kmph and 75 kmph over the next 48 hours.

“Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to commence over Andaman Sea along and off south Myanmar and Thailand coast from 4th January evening. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 over the Andaman Sea on 5th and over the Andaman Islands, Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of east-central and the southeast Bay of Bengal on 6th and 7th,” said the Met department’s advisory.

The advisory asked all inhabitants of the Islands and tourists to take precautionary measures and plan accordingly in the wake rough sea conditions caused by the cyclonic storm. It further informed that passenger vessel between Swaraj Deep(Havelock)and Shaheed Deep(Neil) may be affected.

“The sea condition will be rough to very rough over Andaman Sea along and off south Myanmar and Thailand coast from 4th January evening. It is very likely to become very rough to high over Andaman Sea on 5th and over Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of east-central and the southeast Bay of Bengal on 6th and 7th,” adds the advisory.

This apart, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into Andaman Sea during January 4th-7th and into adjoining southeast and the east-central Bay of Bengal during January 6-7th.

Odisha and Andaman administration have been put on alert due to the incoming cyclone.

Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner issued an alert to seven coastal districts to monitor the situation closely. The seven coastal districts put on alert are - Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Ganjam and Khordha.