GUWAHATI, May 16 � The cyclonic storm Mahasen is likely to pass through the southern part of the State, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland without causing major damage to property, even as a gloomy weather, coupled with rumours that the cyclone is going to cause severe damage to life and property, made the city roads virtually deserted.
State�s Inland Water Transport Department (IWT) has prohibited ferry services on the rivers for the next three days with effect from 3pm today, as a precautionary measure, in view of the advent of the cyclone, said IWT Director Samser Singh. In the city, authorities of some schools declared half-holidays today.
Meanwhile, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has appealed to the people not to panic at the news of the advent of the Mahasen cyclonic storm.
Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) sources here maintain that the cyclonic storm�s speed is expected to be restricted to 55 km per hour (kmph) to 65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph. It is expected to prevail for subsequent 24 hours from its entering the Indian territory between 7 pm and 10 pm today.
RMC sources said under its influence, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy shower at a few places would occur over south Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland during the next 36 hours from this afternoon.
