The Odisha goverment has put seven districts on high alert in view of cyclonic activities in the South China Sea.
In its advisory, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Odisha government said; "A cyclonic storm Pabuk lay centered at 08:30 hours IST of January 3, 2019 over South China Sea near latitude 6.0°N and longiude 105° E, about 1500 km-east-southwest of Port Blair. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Andaman sea around the forenoon of January 5, 2019. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Andaman islands around evening/night of January 6, 2019. Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and then recurve northeastwards towards Myanmar coast and weaken further during January 7-8, 2019."
The Special Relief Commissioner asked collectors of seven districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Ganjam and Khurda to stay alert and monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea.
Earlier on Thursday, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Kolkata warned of heavy rains in Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to Cyclone Pabuk.