Fear looms large as cyclone Hudhud heads for Odisha

Cyclone Hudhud has moved closer to the cost of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and will turn into a severe cyclonic storm in next 12 hours, the India Meteorological Department said.

At 8.30 am on Thursday, the cyclone was positioned 780 kilometre south-southeast of Gopalpur and 770 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, said an IMD bulletin.

On Wednesday, the cyclone was positioned about 1100 km, southeast of Gopalpur and 1150 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam at 11.30 am.

“The system would continue to move west-northwestwards, intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. The system would cross north Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 12,” the bulletin said.

However, de-warning was issued to Andaman and Nicobar islands as “no adverse weather” expected due to this system over Andaman and Nicobar islands. The MeT has issued a heavy rainfall warning for north Andhra Pradesh coast and south Odisha.

“Under the influence of the system, rainfall at most places with heavy (6.5 - 12.4 cm) to very heavy falls (12.5 - 24.4 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (>24.5 cm) would occur over south Odisha from the evening of October 11 onwards. Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places would also commence over Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram. Srikakulam districts of north coastal Andhra,” the bulletin also said.

According to the MeT department, squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph would commence along and off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts from the morning of October 11. The wind speed would increase to 130-140 kmph gusting to 150 kmph from October 12.

“Sea condition would be rough to very rough from the morning of October 11. It would gradually become phenomenal from 12th morning onwards. Besides, under the influence of system, extensive damage to kutcha houses. Partial disruption of power and communication lines. Minor disruption of rail and road traffic. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes,” MeT’s bulletin added.

In view of these conditions, collectors of all districts along the Bay of Bengal coast in Andhra Pradesh have been put on high alert.

AP Chief Secretary I Y R Krishna Rao held a video-conference with collectors of coastal districts and reviewed the preparedness. He asked the collectors to take all steps to prevent loss of lives and also ensure that damage to properties, if any, was the least.

“Open relief camps wherever needed and move people from vulnerable areas to safety. Keep essential commodities ready for the evacuees,” he told the collectors. He also directed them to submit reports on the latest situation regularly.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu put off his scheduled visit to Srikakulam district on Friday where he was supposed to take part in a ‘Janmabhoomi’ programme.

Srikakulam collector Gaurav Uppal cancelled leaves of all government staff and put them on high alert as the district borders Odisha.

During cyclone Phailin on October 13 last year, AP’s Srikakulam district bore the brunt along with Odisha.

Photograph: Courtesy Cyclocane.com