The very severe cyclonic storm, 'Hudhud', is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh coast close to Visakhapatnam around noon today. As per the latest information by the MeT department, the storm is now just 74 kms southeast of Visakhapatnam and 240 kms south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha and moving with a speed of 15 kms per hour.
Under the influence of the system, heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over west & east Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts of north Andhra Pradesh, and Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Phulbani districts of south Odisha. Rainfall would also occur at most places in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasham districts of Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Odisha.
The MeT department said, around the time of the landfall, the wind speed would gradually increase to 170-180 kmph gusting to 195 kmph along and off north Andhra Pradesh and 80-90 kmph along and off adjoining districts of Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha.
Even after landfall, the system would maintain the intensity of very severe cyclonic storm for 6 hours and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm in subsequent 6 hours while moving northwestwards across south interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
National Crisis Management Committee, NCMC, reviewed the preparedness for relief and rescue operations Saturday. NCMC Chairman and Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth took stock of the situation and held discussion with the state Chief Secretaries. An official release said in New Delhi that the central agencies are fully geared up to provide necessary assistance to the states in case of any eventualities arising out of the landfall of the cyclone. 39 teams of National Disaster Response Force comprising of more than 1,600 rescuers along with 199 inflatable rubber boats and other life saving equipments are deployed in various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to meet any challenges. Indian Air Force helicopters are also on standby to meet any emergent situation.
Railways have canceled around forty trains going towards Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and diverted many trains to other routes.
AIR Vishakhapatnam correspondent reports that thousands have been evacuated from the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.
In Odisha, heavy to very heavy rainfall has started at many places. Mr. Modi called up Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan Saturday evening and inquired from him the preparedness measures in Odisha. AIR correspondent reports that the sea condition has been very rough along the Odisha coast since Saturday night.
Prime Minister has asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to remain in touch with Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Reviewing the preparedness for Cyclone at a high-level meeting in New Delhi Saturday evening, Mr. Modi instructed senior officers of the government to maintain close contact and co-ordination with officers of the affected states, to ensure that relief and rescue operations proceed smoothly. He said suitable arrangements should be made to inform people about the cyclone on a real-time basis.
