New Delhi: Cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’ is likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh – South Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur, about 25 km to the north of Kalingapatnam as a cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 Kmph during next 2-3 hours.
Tidal wave of about 0.5 m height above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram,Ganjam districts during the time of landfall.
As per the latest updates, the cyclonic storm lay centred at 1830 h0urs (IST) today over northwest and adjoining westcentral bay of bengal near latitude 18.4°n and longitude 84.5°e, about 40 km east-northeast of Kalingapattnum, 105 km south – southwest of Gopalpur. The system is lying close to coast and the centre is about 25 km to the east of the expected landfall point.
The cloud bands are entering the coastal regions and thus the landfall process, which commenced at around 1800 hrs ist, continues and will continue for next 2-3 hours over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south coastal odisha.
A gradual and steady increase in wind speed is being recorded by the coastal stations of south
Odisha, since 1230 hours (IST). At 1730 hours IST, Puri reported a maximum wind speed of 31 kmph, followed by Gopalpur, 26 kmph.
South Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh is experiencing light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 20 cm) at isolated places; Telangana too is experiencing heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places and heavy falls are being experienced at isolated places over north interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
For tomorrow too, India Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 20 cm) at isolated places over south Chhattisgarh; heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Odisha, Telangana and Vidarbha and heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal West Bengal and north Chhattisgarh.
The cyclone is being monitored by doppler weather radar at vishakhapatnam as well as by the coastal meteorological observatories. Light to moderate rainfall in association with the inner bands of the system has commenced over south coastal Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and took stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Gulab. The Prime Minister has also assured all possible support from the Centre.
-global bihari bureau
