The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, which has turned into a cyclonic storm and named ‘Cyclone Gulab’, now lies over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday evening.
The IMD also issued a cyclone warning for north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts and said it is likely to make a landfall at Singupuram in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said that already the State Government has alerted the Collectors of Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal and Malkangiri districts in view of the possible cyclone as these districts are likely to experience heavy rainfall.
Already review meetings are being held at district levels to ensure full preparedness owing to the IMD’s forecast of squally winds, flash floods and landslides in these areas,” said Jena.
He said the wind-speed is likely to be around 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph. All preparations are being made taking into account past incidents of landslides which occurred in several parts of Gajapati and Rayagada districts during Cyclone Titli in 2008.
Anticipating heavy rainfall, the Government has been prepared to combat flash floods, landslides and waterlogging. As many as 42 ODRAF and 24 NDRF teams would be deployed in seven districts . Apart from this, 102 fire services team would also be deployed in the vulnerable areas, the SRC said.
Besides, four NDRF teams would be kept ready in Nayagarh as a precautionary measure apart from other reserve teams in case of heavy rainfall situation in coastal districts . The water level of several reservoirs is being monitored as a precautionary measure, Jena said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Centre of IMD here said another cyclonic circulation is likely to emerge over northeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal around September 27.
“Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to develop over northeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the subsequent 24 hours,” tweeted the weather office.