Mail News Service
Imphal, May 15 : The cyclonic storm Mahasen over west central Bay of Bengal moved further north- northeastwards during past 6 hours at a speed of about 20 kmph and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of 15th May 2013 near latitude 18.00 N and longitude 88.00 E, about 900 km northwest of Portblair, 500 km south-southwest of Kolkata, 360 km southeast of Paradip and 630 km southwest of Chittagong. It would intensify further and move northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong during night of 16th May 2013.
Under the influence of this system, Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy falls would occur over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland on 16th and 17th.
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hrs, Odisha coast during next 24 hours and West Bengal coast during next 36 hrs. However, wind speed would increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off West Bengal coast from tomorrow, the 16th May morning.
Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland commencing from 16th evening/night for subsequent 24hrs.
Fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea during next 48 hrs.
As a pre-emptive move, the government of Mizoram has ordered to close schools in the state for two days starting from Thursday as the super cyclone Mahasen strking the state becomes imminent.
As weathermen have predicted that super cyclone ‘Mahasen’ is due to hit Mizoram on May 16 (Thursday night), Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today issued an official order to shut all the schools in the State, excluding colleges, from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The Chief Minister also made a request to the people in the State not to organize any function or any kind of public gathering from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The government release today stated that the state government of Mizoram has around 400 trained persons of the Disaster Response Force who have been given training since 2009 – 10, who can be called out on any time at the given emergency helpline numbers.
In a preventive measure too, the School Education Commissioner of Mizoram, has also notified for closing of all schools in the State from Thursday afternoon till Friday. All the headmasters and teachers are accordingly informed to consider the safety of school materials.The deputy commissioner of Aizawl has also announced opening up of Aizawl District Emergency Operation Centre for 24×7 service, to which reports can be given by the people.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cyclone-mahasen-arriving-today/
