Phailin will not be a super cyclone: IMD

“We do not expect much rainfall before Saturday,” IMD director, Sarat Sahu said, adding that the rains would progress to interior Odisha and coastal areas of Gangetic West Bengal from October 13.

It would also rain, heavily in some areas, over north coastal Andhra Pradesh from October 12 and isolated heavy to very heavy over coastal areas of West Bengal from October 13.  

Revenue and Disaster Management minister S N Patro also appealed to the people not to panic.

Meanwhile, people across the coastal region comprising 15 districts were in the grip of fear.

People in the state capital and other places began stocking up food, candles and matchboxes while a large number of labourers fled from the port town of Paradip.  “I purchased a candle for Rs 15 while it was earlier priced at Rs 5,” said one Gobind Pradhan.