Very Severe Cyclonic Storm approaching Odisha coast

He said the National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Department have also been asked to remain prepared for rescue and relief operation.

The state has also written to the Centre  requesting them to keep choppers ready, he said.

Paradip and Gopalpur ports have been asked to hoist Distant Cautionary Signal Number One, he said.

An IMD statement today said: “The deep depression over North Andaman Sea moved west-northwestwards and crossed Andaman Islands near Mayabandar between 1230 and 1330 hrs IST and lay centred at 1430 hrs IST on Oct 9 over east central Bay of Bengal and about 220 km north-northwest of Port Blair, 950 km southeast of Paradip, 1100 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam.