A cyclonic storm, dubbed Kyant, is expected to hit the Odisha coast in the next 24 hours as the Meteorological Department on Monday reported that a depression had formed over the Bay of Bengal, according to ANI. The storm is likely to impact at least 10 districts in the central, coastal and northern parts of the state, according to the Department’s office in Bhubaneshwar.

Bhubaneshwar Met office director Sarat Sahu said a warning signal – the Distant Cautionary Signal Number One – had been hoisted at all ports and fishermen had been advised against venturing out too far into the sea during the period. State government officials also asked people to not panic because of the situation, saying that they were full prepared to deal with any kind of eventuality.