IMD Forecasts Severe Cyclone Crossing Near Andhra Coast

India’s Meteorological Department forecast that a Bay of Bengal system could become a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts around the forenoon of October 28, as Odisha ordered closures and placed response teams on alert. The forecast crossing zone is between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The IMD projected sustained winds of 115-125 km/h, with gusts reaching 140 km/h. The system’s eventual track, intensity and landfall have not been established; the figures describe a forecast, not observed conditions. Odisha ordered schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts to close on October 28 and 29. The state also placed 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, 17 National Disaster Response Force teams and 225 fire service teams on alert for possible deployment. Authorities have been directed to prepare shelters and prioritise moving residents of low-lying areas, including pregnant women and patients, to safer locations or health facilities. Fishermen along the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts have been advised not to go to sea. Officials have also been told to prepare for emergency response...