-Warning of heavy rain on 28-29 October
- -First the impact will increase in Bastar then North Chhattisgarh
- -Strong wind poses threat to standing paddy crop, mud houses and electricity system
- IMD's estimate: Wind gusts up to 140 km per hour on Andhra coast
- -Danger of storm and rain in Chhattisgarh also; Instructions to all collectors to remain alert
Raipur/Read. Cyclone 'Arnab', moving towards Andhra Pradesh from the Bay of Bengal, can spoil the weather of Chhattisgarh in the next 48 hours. The biggest concern is about Bastar and its adjoining southern districts. Heavy rain is expected here on October 28. Next day on October 29, the intensity of rain may move towards North Chhattisgarh. Raipur weather center forecast warned of extremely heavy rainfall at some places along with strong winds and lightning. The cyclone is coming at a time when the paddy crop has started ripening in the state. Crops standing and harvested in the fields can be damaged by rain and strong wind. On the other hand, the danger may also increase for those living in kutcha houses, low-lying settlements and near rivers and drains in South Bastar. The state government has asked the collectors of all the districts to keep special surveillance and rescue preparations from October 27 to 29.
Storm moving at a speed of 15 km in the sea
According to the October 26 bulletin of the Indian Meteorological Department, the cyclone's center was at 15.4 degrees north latitude and 88.9 degrees east longitude at 5:30 am on Monday. It was about 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 730 km from Kakinada and 910 km from Bapatla. In the last six hours it moved westwards at a speed of about 15 kilometers per hour. The Meteorological Department estimates that by October 27, the storm will become stronger and become a very severe cyclonic storm (Cyclone Arnab). It is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, in the forenoon of October 28. At that time the continuous wind speed can be 115 to 125 kilometers per hour and the gust speed can be up to 140 kilometers per hour. However, this speed is for the sea coast, not for Chhattisgarh.
Raipur weather center warning
According to the report of Raipur Meteorological Center, the weather in the state remained mainly dry on October 25. The maximum temperature was recorded at 32.6 degrees Celsius in Raipur and the minimum temperature was recorded at 12.5 degrees Celsius in Ambikapur. Mainly dry weather was forecast in the state for Monday 26 October. But the impact of the cyclone is expected to increase from October 27 and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected on October 28-29. According to meteorological categories, rainfall around 64.5 to 115.5 mm in 24 hours is considered heavy, 115.6 to 204.4 mm is considered very heavy and 204.5 mm or more rainfall is considered extremely heavy. This means that in areas where the forecast of extremely heavy rainfall proved correct, more than 200 mm of water could fall in a single day. This is not an estimate of uniform rainfall in the entire state.
Special attention on five districts of Bastar
In view of the possible impact of cyclone Arnab, a high level review meeting was held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan. Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua took information about the preparations from the collectors of the districts and related departments through video conferencing. Instructions have been given to exercise extra vigilance in Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar and Narayanpur. The government has asked to make preparations regarding relief camps, medicines, medical teams, power supply and road connectivity. There are instructions to the concerned departments to be active to deal with the situation of falling of trees, closure of roads and damage to electric poles during bad weather. In sensitive villages, arrangements will also be made to take people to safe places if needed.
Paddy on the verge of harvesting, rain may increase farmers' problems
In the last week of October, the paddy crop is getting ready in many areas of the state. At some places harvesting has already started and at other places farmers are waiting for clear weather. At such a time, if there is heavy rain accompanied by strong wind, paddy plants may fall. There is a possibility of the harvested paddy getting wet, water stagnation in the fields and harvesting getting affected. In the agricultural weather advisory, farmers have been asked to postpone harvesting for the time being, keep the harvested produce in a safe and covered place and make arrangements to drain excess water from the fields. Animal farmers also need to keep a safe place ready for their cattle.
Center tested the preparedness of five states
On Monday, Cabinet Secretary T.V. A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee was held under the chairmanship of Somanathan. Information about relief and rescue arrangements was taken from senior officials of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry. According to the Centre, shelter sites, evacuation arrangements and district control rooms have been kept ready in the affected areas. NDRF and SDRF teams have also been kept ready for deployment as per need. Fishermen from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Yanam coast have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 26 to 29.
Cyclone alert in the country, when is there danger in which state?
State/Territory Date Expected Status
Andhra Pradesh and Yanam 27-28 October Extremely heavy rain, wind gusts up to 140 km on the coast
Odisha likely to receive extremely heavy rain on 27-29 October 28
Telangana 28-October Heavy to very heavy rain
Chhattisgarh 28-29 October: Extremely heavy rain at some places
Vidarbha 28- October Heavy to very heavy rain
Eastern Madhya Pradesh 28-30 October, heavy rains
Jharkhand 29 October heavy to very heavy rain
Eastern Uttar Pradesh 29-30 October 29 Extremely heavy rain at some places
Bihar 29-30 October heavy to very heavy rain
Three days alert in Chhattisgarh
October 27- Vigilant onset of rain in South Chhattisgarh, possibility of rain and thundershowers in Bastar areas including Sukma, Dantewada. The weather may change in other districts also.
28 October- Serious threat, special attention on South Bastar. There is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar, Narayanpur and surrounding areas. Rainfall may also increase in Central Chhattisgarh.
October 29- Serious danger may increase in intensity in North Chhattisgarh. There is a possibility of heavy rain in northern parts including Surguja and Bilaspur divisions. Very heavy rainfall possible at some places.
What is the effect on how much rain?
Possible impact of rain in 24 hours
64.5-115.5 mm heavy rain, waterlogging in fields and low-lying settlements
115.6-204.4 mm very heavy rain, strong flow possible in small drains
Extremely heavy rainfall of 204.5 mm or more, risk of local flooding and traffic disruption
Five big concerns for Chhattisgarh
Paddy crop: Danger of plants falling due to strong wind and the harvested produce getting wet.
Interior villages of Bastar: Road connectivity may be disrupted due to increase in water in rivers and drains.
Electricity supply: There is a possibility of supply disruption due to falling trees and broken wires.
Raw houses: Damage to weak houses and walls is possible due to continuous rain.
Roads and markets: Waterlogging may affect rural transport, transportation of agricultural produce and everyday business.
Five key figures of IMD
-Sea speed of the storm- 15 km/hour
-Distance from Visakhapatnam, 5:30 am- 650 km
-Possible sustained wind speed on the coast – 115-125 km/hr.
-Maximum possible gusts on the coast – 140 km/h