Cyclone Jawad: Odisha tourism cancels ongoing 12th International sand art festival

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 3 (ANI): Odisha tourism on Friday cancelled the ongoing International sand art festival and Konark festival due to Cyclone Jawad.
Odisha tourism stated, "As per the reports of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and advisories issued by Special Relief Commissioner on Cyclonic Storm Jawad reaching the coasts of Odisha, we regret to inform that the Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival held in Konark are being called off with immediate effect."
The 12th edition of the five days International sand art festival was started on December 1 at Chandrabhaga beach in Konark, Odisha.
Earlier, IMD informed that the low-pressure region in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Jawad and is expected to reach the coast of north Andhra Pradesh - Odisha around the morning of Saturday, December 4, 2021, with the wind speed ranging up to 100 kmph.
It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. IMD has been issuing regular bulletins with the latest forecast to all the concerned states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries and concerned agencies to deal with the situation arising out of the likely formation of cyclone Jawad, informed the Prime Minister's Office.
The Cabinet Secretary has also reviewed the situation and preparedness with the Chief Secretaries of all the Coastal States and Central Ministries or Agencies concerned. (ANI)