Odisha on Sunday experienced light to moderate rainfall as cyclone Gulab made landfall at a place in Andhra Pradesh, about 95 kilometres from Gopalpur in the state where a large number of people have been evacuated as a precautionary measure, officials said.
The cyclone weakened into a Deep Depression at 0230 hrs IST and is likely to move west-northwestwards (AP) and weaken further into a Depression during next 06 hrs, the IMD tweeted.
The wind speed of the cyclone is much less in Odisha compared to that in the neighbouring state during landfall.
A fisherman from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh was killed, one injured and another remained missing as 'Gulab' crossed the coast. Three more fishermen are reportedly missing.
The Odisha government has already mobilised men and machinery and launched an evacuation drive in seven identified districts in the southern parts of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to take stock of the situation.
It was Srikakulam that bore the brunt of the cycline as high-velocity winds uprooted trees at Purushothapatnam in Ichchapuram mandal, Ganguvada in Mandasa and other places obstructing vehicular traffic and disrupting power supply. Read our full report here.
The men, all residents of Manchineella Peta village in Vajrapukotturu mandal, had gone to Odisha to buy a new boat a few days ago. While the six fishermen were sailing back home in the new boat, it capsized in “extremely rough sea” -- as Hema Rao would later inform his relatives over the mobile phone -- off Akupalli beach.
A curfew-like situation prevailed in various parts of the district on Saturday as people confined themselves to houses. The fear of cyclone Gulab and post-cyclone heavy rains have gripped the region due to the bitter experiences of Titli and Hud Hud. (READ FULL REPORT)
Heavy Rain lashed in Visakhapatnam due to Cyclone Gulab. (Photo | G Satyanarayana, ENS)
(Inputs from IMD)
In Odisha's 11 districts, all universities and colleges will remain closed on Monday, reports TNIE correspondent Sudarshan Maharana. The districts are Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Raygada, Koraput Malkanagiri, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi.
NDRF conducts a mock drill of rescue & relief operation at Bandaruvanipeta village in Kalingapatnam in view of Cyclone Gulab "Those with physical disabilities, old, & children have already been sent to shelter homes," says NDRF Team Commander Sushant Kumar Behera
'Cyclone Gulab' is likely to move westwards & cross north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam & Gopalpur around midnight today. The landfall process will commence today evening. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places in north & south coastal & heavy rainfall in one or two places of Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen are not advised to go in the sea today and tomorrow: Srinivasa Rao, IMD's Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam
With the people along the coast likely to get affected, the administration in three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam have taken all steps to evacuate people from low lying areas. People along the coast would also be shifted to cyclone shelters and safe areas.
As many as 42 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 24 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with 103 units of Odisha Fire Service personnel have been deployed in seven districts - Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the cyclone situation and emphasized on zero casualty approach. Naveen also asked the authorities to strictly follow Covid-19 protocols during rescue and relief operations.
Cyclone Gulab is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north AP-south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur as a cyclonic storm with wind gusting up to 95 km/hr around midnight. The Landfall process will commence from late Sunday evening, reports TNIE correspondent Asish Mehta.
Housing and Urban department cancels leave of all ULB staff for two days in the seven districts of South and Coastal Odisha that have been put on high alert in view of CycloneGulab. Asks civic bodies to take measures to prevent water-logging.