The very severe cyclonic storm ‘HUDHUD’ is approaching the eastern coast and now lying within the range of Doppler Weather Radar in Visakhapatnam. It Is being tracked by Visakhapatnam Radar since early this morning in addition to satellite and other observational tools. According to latest observations of the Indian Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar, ‘HUDHUD’ is now over west-central Bay of Bengal, about 380 km of Gopalpur in Odisha. It will cross north Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by tomorrow forenoon.

Under the impact of HUDHUD, rains have started in most of the places in coastal and south Odisha. Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur, Ganjam, Gajpati, Kalahandi and Phulbani of south Odisha is expected since this evening. Heavy to very heavy rainfall will also occur at one or two places in districts of Khurdha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Boudh, Nawapara, Sonepur and Bolangir. The Indian Meterological Department has warned wind speed from 80-90 kmph along and off Odisha coast from today evening. HUDHUD is likely to make heavy damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines, agricultural crops and uproot a large number of
trees. People in the likely-affected districts have been advised to shift to safer places. Fishing operations have been totally suspended along and off Odisha coast and fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea.

Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway has cancelled 35 south-bound trains and diverted and short-terminated several other trains in the southern zone as a precautionary measure in view of HUDHUD.

Our Hyderabad correspondent reports that the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, warned that some villages in 9 mandals of Visakhapatnam is facing inundation threat due to tidal effect.

Andhra Pradesh Government has put five districts on high alert. Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam , Vizianagaram and east Godavari have been put on high alert and the district administration have been asked to take all steps to prevent losses. The state government has set up 370 relief camps and identified 3 lakh 92 thousand people in 396 villages for evacuation.

Eastern naval command has kept 30 naval teams, one column of Army have been kept standby at Visakhaopatnam. 13 NDRF teams have been deployed and 3 teams have been kept on stand by.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high level meeting this evening to review the preparedness for the fast approaching cyclone Hudhud which is likely to hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh tomorrow.

Andhra Pradesh Government has put five districts on high alert. Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam , Vizianagaram and east Godavari have been put on high alert and the district administration have been asked to take all steps to prevent losses. The state government has set up 370 relief camps and identified 3 lakh 92 thousand people in 396 villages for evacuation.

Eastern naval command has kept 30 naval teams, one column of Army have been kept standby at Visakhaopatnam. 13 NDRF teams have been deployed and 3 teams have been kept on stand by.