The cyclonic storm ‘Phethai’, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machlipatnam and Kakinada on Monday, triggered rainfall in several parts of Odisha.
The cyclonic storm which made a landfall in the afternoon triggered heavy rains in nieghbouring Andhra Pradesh and strong winds estimated to be between 80 to 90 kms per hour lashed Kakinada and other parts.
“The wind speed was estimated to be around 70-90 km per hour during landfall in Andhra Pradesh while it was around 30-40 km per hour in some parts of Odisha. Though it did not cause much damage in Odisha, it triggered rainfall in several parts of the State,” said an official of the Regional Office of Indian Metrological Department (IMD)here.
Farmers as per advice took necessary measures to protect their crops in view of the rain forecast but in some places their produce was damaged.
As per the latest information, heavy rainfall occurred in Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati and Rayagada. Earlier IMD had issued Orange warning for the four districts.
Besides, isolated places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts experienced heavy rainfall while many places in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts received moderate rainfall on the day.
In Gajapati district 11,600 people of seven vulnerable blocks were shifted to safer places.