Cyclone SIDR threat weakens in NE

Guwahati, Nov 17: The threat to the North Eastern states by the cyclonic storm SIDR in the Bay of Bengal lessened considerably today with the system weakening into a low pressure area, still centered over Tripura, south Assam and Meghalaya.

Met sources here informed that the depression over Bangladesh as well as Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya since yesterday morning had weakened into a low pressure area last evening.

''It has become further less marked in this morning's readings,'' the sources added.

The Met office also forecast improvement in the weather across the region, which had been receiving heavy rainfall following the storm, since the past 24 hours.

However, the sky would remain partly cloudy for the next few days, the sources added.

The storm, after lashing Bangladesh and killing nearly 1000 persons, was posing a threat to the NE.

Warnings were issued in Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya, along with West Bengal and Orissa.

The storm, however, spared West Bengal and Orissa but was looming large over the NE.

With the weakening of its impact, the Met department has also withdrawn its cyclone warning.

Heavy rain and thunder showers affected parts of Tripura, south Assam and Meghalaya and surface communication, power and telephone lines were snapped at several places.

Houses were also damaged as winds lashed the region and trees were uprooted at several places.

Temperatures also dipped considerably throughout the region.

UNI