SIDR weakens, MHA warns WB, Orissa, North East about rain, gale

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Eventhough the very severe cyclonic storm SIDR has crossed Bangladesh coast thereby weakening the threat to coastal districts of India, the Home Ministry has asked West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura, Mizoram , Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya to take all precautionary steps to deal with heavy rainfall and gale expected during the next 12 hours.

The Ministry in a message sent to Chief Secretaries of these states early this morning said that under the influence of cyclone, rain/thundershowers were expected at many places with isolated heavy falls are likely over Gangetic West Bengal during next 24 hours. Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph are likely along and off West Bengal and north Orissa coasts during next 12 hours, it said.

Since the sea condition will be rough to very rough. fishermen of the above areas are advised not to venture into the sea.

Rain/thundershowers at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls accompanied by gale wind speed reaching 60-90 kmph are likely over districts Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, south Assam and Meghalaya during next 24 hours, it said.

"SIDR" over North Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards and crossed west Bangladesh coast near long. 89.80 E around 2230 hrs last night and lay centered over Bangladesh about 100 km south of Dhaka. The system is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction and weaken gradually.

UNI