Weathermen predicted very heavy to very, very heavy rainfall in coastal districts of the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as Hudhud, building over the Bay of Bengal, slams into the two states packing winds speed of up to 155 kmph.
Bracing for the exigency, the Centre has pressed into service the National Disaster Response Force and the navy to reduce possible casualties.
“At least 25 teams, 15 of NDRF and 10 ODRF, have been deployed at vulnerable areas keeping an eye on the cyclone and heavy rainfall,” Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said in Bhubaneshwar.
Malkangiri is this time in focus, Mohapatra said, adding the severe cyclonic storm is likely to pass over the district.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sought satellite phones following which Rajnath Singh asked Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami to ensure quick supplies of the phones which could be used in case high-speed winds disturbed the telecommunication system.
A Hyderabad report said 11 teams of NDRF have been deployed in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. While NDRF teams have been deployed in the two states, the Indian Navy has geared up to render humanitarian assistance.
IMD chief Laxman Singh Rathore said “the very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud over west central and adjoining east central Bay moved west-northwestwards and lay centered over west central Bay about 470 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 520 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (in Odisha). It will cross the coast at the speed of 155 kmph near Visakhapatnam.
“The coastal areas will see winds blowing 50-60 kmph from tomorrow and it will further itensify further as the cyclone approaches,” Rathore said.
He said “heavy” to “very heavy” rainfall would occur in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh -- east and west Godavari, Vijaynagaram and Srikakulam districts -- and South Odisha districts -- Ganjam, Hajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangour, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Phulbani.
“Waves in the ocean may rise upto 14 metres while tide on the coast may rise up to 2 metres. In some places, the sea water may enter 200 metres inside the land,” Mritunjay Mohapatra, scientist, incharge of cyclonic warning said.
Unlike last year when cyclone Phailin had struck the east coast with Odisha as the worst hit, this time it will be Andhra Pradesh, especially, the coast near Visakhapatnam.
However, the exact location could be determined only by Saturday as the cyclone proceeds towards the coast.
“Fortunately, the topography of the area, where the landfall will take place, is hilly and this will help reduce the intensity of Hudhud. It will turn into a severe cyclonic storm, 12 hours after it makes landing,” Rathore said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and asked the administration to be fully geared up to meet any eventuality.
In Andhra Pradesh, as many as 26 revenue mandals are likely to be affected by the cyclone.
About 250 personnel of the army have also been kept ready in Vizag to aid the administration in rescue and relief operations.
All Odisha coastal districts have been provided with satellite phones for emergency and constant vigil was being maintained on rivers like Bansadhara, Rusikulya and Nagabali as heavy rain is expected there.
“We have asked the collectors that no one should remain inside ‘kutcha houses’ in Malkangiri district. All the people living in ‘kutcha’ houses need to be evacuated to safe place,” Mohapatra said, adding that this was being done keeping the state’s commitment of “zero casualty” as target.
The SRC also asked the district authorities to start free kitchen where the government undertakes evacuation drive. The districts were also told to stock adequate quantity of dry food, he said.
The Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is in constant touch with the state governments to augment the safety and relief operations and has pressed in four naval ships for the purpose.
“These ships embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material including food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5000 personnel.
“Six aircraft are standing by at the Naval Air Station INS Dega to undertake rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded. Additionally, 30 divers’ teams and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at a short notice,” said a statement issued by the ministry of defence.