Severe Cyclone Hudhud to Hit Odisha, AP on Sunday

NEW DELHI: A very severe cyclone ‘Hudhud’ would cross Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Sunday leading to heavy rainfall, wind gusting to over 150 kmph and possibility of heavy damage in coastal areas, the Metrological Department said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has kept six teams ready to handle the situation. The cyclone will become very severe in the next 36 hours and would cross north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by Sunday noon.

“The wind speed range is expected to be between 130-140 kmph and may gust upto 155 kmph. The landfall point of the cyclone is likely to remain over the sea,” said Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General L S Rathore.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at few places mainly in Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts of North coastal Andhra and Ganjam, Puri and Khurda districts of Odisha from Saturday. Last year the east coast was hit by another major cyclone Phailin.

“It will not be as severe as Phailin which saw wind gusting upto 210-220 kmph but is in the same category,” Rathore said adding that IMD is coordinating with the NDRF.

NDRF’s one batallion each in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are in total preparedness while four teams of the force have left for Visakhapatnam and would be further repositioned based on the request made by the respective state governments. Besides, one batallion each in West Bengal and Bihar are on alert and could be airlifted anytime if required. The states will be provided with satellite phones and a control room would be operational to tackle the situation.

The IMD further said under the influence of the system, extensive damage to kutcha houses, partial disruption of power and communication lines and minor disruptions of rail and road traffic is expected and there is potential threat from flying debris. Sea would be very rough and would gradually become phenomenal from Sunday morning onwards.

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