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Met dept HQ cut off from cyclone observatories

The headquarters of the Indian Meteorological Department in the capital has been cut off from the cyclone observatories on the east coast after the recent cyclone, with estimated windspeeds between 250 and 260 km per hour, crossing the Paradeep coast in Orissa.

S C Goel, director of the department's cyclone warning unit said all communications from the affected coastal area was disrupted after the cyclone crossed the coast between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.

The cyclone, after crossing the coast, was located 30 km north east of Bhubaneswar at 2.30 pm and the position after that is not known. It is most likely moving over the Gangetic West Bengal.

Meanwhile, S R Khalsi, department deputy director briefed the cabinet on the situation. India has experienced very few cyclones of this strength in the past.

Cyclones with winds near the eye going at over 240 km an hour are termed super cyclones.

The authorities expect communications from centres in Puri, Cuttack, Paradeep, Balasore and Bhubaneswar and over satellites later today.

EARLIER REPORT:
Cyclone: PM puts armed forces on alert

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