The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) alerted on Sunday, 26 September, that landfall process of Cyclone Gulab has commenced over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha.
According to the IMD alert, the storm system will cross coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur in the next three hours.
"The next two hours are crucial. We expect winds to blow at the speed of 90-100 kmph. Two teams of NDRF and 4 teams of SDRF have arrived here. Heavy rainfall could lead to floods, which is another challenge. 19 mandals in the district are flood-prone," Srikakulam collector Sumit Kumar said, according to news agency ANI.
Five fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell into the sea after strong waves hit their boat off Mandasa coast, ANI reported. Rescue efforts are underway.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a meeting to review the state's preparedness for the cyclone, reported ANI.
Taking to Twitter, CM Patnaik stated that the state government is "taking swift action to ensures restoration of necessary services like opening up roads, electricity, water supply etc."
PM Modi Speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy & Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and took stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Gulab.
Modi posted on Twitter: "Spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and took stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Gulab. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being."
Modi also discussed the cyclone situation in parts of Odisha with CM Naveen Patnaik. The prime minister assured all possible support from the Centre.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Kandhamal and Cuttack districts. The coastal and south Odisha districts are very likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall for the next coming few days.
Wind speed reaching 75-95 kmph is expected along and off the Odisha coasts in Ganjam, Gajapati districts, 55-75 kmph along and off Khordha, Puri, Rayagada and Koraput districts, and 50-70 kmph over Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts, read the IMD bulletin.
42 ODRAF, 24 NDRF and 102 Fire Service Teams to be Deployed
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed at least thirteen teams in Odisha and five teams in Andhra Pradesh, reported ANI, quoting Satya Narayan Pradhan, Director General of NDRF.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has asked the concerned district collectors to remain alert and take measures to counter the cyclone.
Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said 42 ODRAF teams, 24 NDRF teams and 102 Fire Service teams will be deployed in seven districts which are likely to be most affected by the cyclonic storm.
The IMD has also warned of heavy rains in the south of West Bengal in the coming week, with excessive rains expected in Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.
(With inputs from IANS, NDTV)
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