Hudhud roaring in, ready to slam Odisha and Andhra Pradesh

Authorities in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh today ordered evacuation of people from coastal areas and deployed rescued teams at vulnerable points as cyclone Hudhud intensified into a "very severe" cyclonic storm due to hit the two states on October 12.

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 NDRF and the navy to reduce possible casualties. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha on the steps being taken to deal with the situation and also assured all possible help.

"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 told reporters 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 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 National Disaster Response Force (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 westcentral and adjoining eastcentral Bay moved west-northwestwards and lay centered over westcentral 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 meters while tide on the coast may rise upto 2 meters. In some places, the sea water may enter 200 meters 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 tomorrow 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.