Odisha: Farmers in Ganjam district stare at extensive crop loss
Unseasonal rain induced by Cyclone Jawad for the last three days has shattered the hopes of farmers expecting a bumper crop to recover from the loss they had suffered in November. Hundreds of acres of standing crops like paddy, chilli and vegetables have been submerged in Ganjam district due to heavy rain under the influence of Jawad, while farmers in several areas are struggling to drain out water from the fields. Read full story
Seeds of hope: Saline-proof rice debuts in Bengal, to cut farmers’ cyclone losses
Even as Bengal’s farmers try to predict losses from the effects of Jawad, a new variety of rice has temporarily helped them minimise the damage from the devastation of cyclones Amphan and Yaas. The first mass-scale harvest of the salinity-tolerant rice — Nona Swarna (which translates to ‘Saline Gold’) — have been bulk-purchased at the minimum support price of Rs 1,950 per quintal by the Bengal government for free distribution under public distribution schemes. Read full story
The depression (remnant of Cyclonic storm Jawad) over northwest Bay of Bengal near north Odisha coast moved northeastwards and weakened into Well marked low pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts at 5.30am. To weaken further into low pressure area during next 6 hours.
Met department
Odisha: East Coast Railway to resume train services from today as Cyclone Jawad weakens into deep depression
The East Coast Railway (ECoR), which cancelled more than 100 trains between Thursday and Sunday night, will resume its services from Monday after Cyclone Jawad weakened into a deep depression. Similarly, operations at the city airport continued as usual after flights were rescheduled for two hours on Sunday. Read full story
Depression (remnant of Cyclone Jawad) lay centered at 11.30pm on Sunday, over northwest Bay of Bengal close to north Odisha coast about 70km east-northeast of Paradip (Odisha), 65km east-southeast of Chandbali.
Depression (remnant of CS JAWAD) lay centered at 2330 hrs IST of 05122021, over northwest Bay of Bengal close to no… https://t.co/WZk227c6ol
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) 1638736804000
(Clockwise from top L) The scene on Kolkata streets on Sunday. The rain may gradually cease in the city from the latter half of Monday, said Met office; a satellite image showing the location of the system and a gully pit is being cleaned in Salt Lake.
Three factors led to Jawad losing its strength, said weather experts. First, the lack of a uniform ‘wind shear’ that was needed to keep the cyclone intact and make it move towards the coast. Secondly, north Bay of Bengal — over which the system is now hovering — turns cool in December which cuts off the supply of moisture to cyclonic systems, rendering them weaker. Finally, cool winds have been blowing into the sea from the land which is making the system disintegrate.
The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over coastal and northern districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts for Monday.
Heavy showers were reported from districts including Ganjam, Khurda, Puri in the last 24 hours while the intensity gradually shifted towards northern districts, triggering rainfall in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jajpur and Balasore.
Squally wind with speed reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour gusting to 60 kmph is also likely along and off the West Bengal coast till Monday afternoon.
According to the weather department, the districts of North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad are likely to witness heavy rain till Tuesday morning.
The West Bengal government has stopped ferry services on the Hooghly river, evacuated people from coastal areas and urged tourists not to visit seaside resorts.
South Bengal districts such as North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Hooghly, Birbhum, Bankura and Nadia received heavy rain of varied intensity on Sunday.
The coastal districts of Odisha were soaked as the remnants of cyclone Jawad reached Puri coast in the afternoon before taking a re-curve in north-northeast direction and reaching Paradip.
Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the westcentral and northwest Bay of Bengal, and along and off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts during the next 24 hours.
Heavy rain affected functioning of Paradip port in Odisha while reports of crop loss is received from different parts of the state.
Heavy rain pounded the southern part of West Bengal and coastal region of Odisha on Sunday affecting normal life, as cyclone Jawad weakened into a depression, the Met department said. The cyclonic storm is likely to further weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area, as a result of which several districts of south Bengal may receive heavy rain till Tuesday morning.