Cyclone ‘Hudhud’ has moved closer to the cost of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and will turn into a severe cyclonic storm in next 12 hours, the MeT department said on Thursday.
At 8.30 AM on Thursday, the cyclone was positioned 780 km south-southeast of Gopalpur and 770 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, said an IMD bulletin.
On Wednesday, the cyclone was positioned about 1100 km, southeast of Gopalpur and 1150 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam at 11.30 AM.
“The system would continue to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours.” IMD bulletin said.
Adding to this, bulletin told that the system would cross north Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 12th October.
However, De-Warning was issued to Andaman & Nicobar Islands as “no adverse weather” expected due to this system over Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The MeT has issued a heavy rainfall warning for north Andhra Pradesh coast and south Odisha.
“Under the influence of the system, rainfall at most places with heavy (6.5 – 12.4 cm) to very heavy falls (12.5 – 24.4 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (> 24.5 cm) would occur over south Odisha from the evening of October 11 onwards. Rainfall would occur at most places with heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall at a few places would also commence over Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram. Srikakulam districts of north coastal Andhra,” Bulletin added.
According to the MeT department, squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph would commence along and off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts from the morning of October 11.
The wind speed would increase to 130-140 kmph gusting to 150 kmph from October 12.
“Sea condition would be rough to very rough from the morning of October 11. It would gradually become phenomenal from 12th morning onwards. Besides, under the influence of system, kutcha houses can go through extensive damage. Partial disruption of power and communication lines and rail and road traffic can be observed with potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes,” MeT’s bulletin said.
Cabinet Secy reviews preparedness for cyclone ‘Hudhud’
With ‘Hudhud’ moving closer to the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth on Thursday reviewed the preparedness for the cyclone which is likely to hit the two states on Sunday.
Seth, who heads the National Crisis Management Committee, has asked the representatives of all central ministries, departments and Chief Secretaries of the state governments concerned to take necessary steps for preparedness to meet any eventuality from the cyclone, a release issued by the Home Ministry said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed its five battalions (about 5,000 personnel) situated at Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar on high alert. These NDRF battalions comprise 51 teams.
In Andhra Pradesh, six rescue and relief teams have already been deployed at Srikakulam, Vijay Nagaram, Visakhapattam and East Godavari, it said.
In Odisha, nine NDRF teams are being considered for deployment in districts Gajpatti, Ganjam, Khurda, Cuttak, Puri and Balasore, the Ministry said.
Four teams each from NDRF Patna, Kolkata and Chennai battalions are moving towards Odisha and AP.
“27 teams are being deployed in vulnerable areas as a proactive measure to mitigate the situation during cyclonic storm,” the release said.
A total 162 boats and 54 deep diving sets with other flood rescue equipment are being sent to meet any challenges which may arise due to cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’, it said.