Cyclonic storm Hudhud will take a very severe turn in the next 12 hours, bringing very heavy rainfall and gusty winds as it inches closer to the coast.
According to latest bulletin of the Indian Meterological Department, IMD, the system would continue to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours.
It is expected to cross North Andhra Pradesh and South-Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by Sunday noon and will have more impact in Visakhapatnam than in Odisha.
Director General of IMD, L S Rathore said, the cyclone will start impacting the region from tomorrow with a wind speed of 50 to 60 Kilometer per hour in the morning.
Mr. Rathore said, the wind speed of the cyclone will increase upto 155 kilometres per hour by the time it crosses North Andhra Pradesh and South-Odisha coasts on Sunday noon.
He said the cyclone was positioned 520 kilometres southeast of Gopalpur and 470 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam today evening.
Meanwhile, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are bracing up to face the severity of a very strong cyclonic strom Hudhud which is fast moving towards the eastern coast.
Centre has rushed 39 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) so far comprising 1573 personnel, 193 boats and other equipments in various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in view of fast approaching cyclone Hudhud.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the NDRF has set up a control room at Delhi whose number is 011-26107953. People can also call on Mobile number 09711077372 and email ndrfhq@nic.in for any assistance.
Mr. Singh said the control room is monitoring the situation and is also in touch with other agencies to provide rescue and relief in case of emergent situation in the areas.
In Andhara Pradesh, the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy headquartered at Visakhapatnam has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance.
Four Indian Naval ships are standing by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief, evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid.
The Odisha government has stepped up preparation to face the severe cyclone and any possible floods thereafter. The state government today deployed rescue teams at vulnerable places and asked District Collectors to begin evacuation of people, particularly in tribal dominated Malkangiri district.
Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, PK Mohapatra, has said Malkangiri district would be in focus as the severe cyclonic storm was likely to pass over the district.
As heavy rains likely to lash the upper catchment of Mahanadi river and most parts of Odisha in the wake of Hudhus, there is a threat of flood in the Mahanadi river system. The Hirakud dam authorities have opened seven sluice gates this morning to release excess water
