CYCLONE GULAB HITS ODISHA, ANDHRA COASTS; 2 FISHERMEN KILLED

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday informed that the landfall process of ‘Cyclone Gulab’ has commenced over coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

“The cloud bands have touched coastal regions and thus the landfall process has commenced over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south coastal Odisha. The system will cross coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur, about 25 km to the north of Kalingapatnam during next 3 hours,” tweeted the IMD.

A red alert was sounded in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for a cyclonic warning.

Earlier, Referring to the IMD’s cyclone alert in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, Satya Narayan Pradhan, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had informed that 13 teams (24 sub-teams) have been deployed in Odisha and five in Andhra Pradesh.

Of the six fishermen from Andhra’s Srikakulam district whose boat lost balance in the storm, two have been reported dead, while one continues to remain missing. Three of the fishermen reportedly swam safely to shore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in view of cyclone Gulab and assured all possible support from the Centre.

“Discussed the cyclone situation in parts of Odisha with CM @Naveen_Odisha Ji. The Centre assures all possible support in overcoming this adversity. Praying for the safety and well-being of everybody,” tweeted the Prime Minister.

He took stock of the situation in Andhra, after speaking to the Chief Minister and said, “Spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Shri @ysjagan 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.”

Patnaik on Sunday chaired a virtual meeting in Delhi to review the preparedness of ‘Cyclone Gulab’ which is expected to hit the state by today evening. Ahead of cyclone alerts issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Odisha has begun the evacuation drive in the state.