Coastal areas of India's Odisha, 9 West Bengal districts on high alert over cyclone

NEW DELHI, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal on Tuesday put coastal areas and some vulnerable districts on high alert in view of the approaching cyclone, officials said.

The cyclone is likely to make landfall between Puri and Ganga Sagar on Thursday.

The local government of Odisha Tuesday said it has kept relief centers and makeshift shelters ready to accommodate people likely to be impacted by the cyclone.

"At least 250 relief centers are kept ready. This apart, 500 temporary shelters including in schools and colleges have been opened. Evacuated people will be provided cooked food and medical services," Odisha's revenue and disaster management minister Shri Suresh Pujari said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday and hit Odisha and West Bengal coasts on Thursday. The region is likely to receive heavy rainfall until Friday. ■