With cyclone Hudhud heading towards the States of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday spoke to the Chief Ministers of the three States on the steps being taken to deal with the situation.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked for satellite phones from the Home Minister which can be used in case high-speed winds disturbed the telecommunication system. Singh has asked Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami to ensure quick supplies of the phones .
The Home Minister later spoke to Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana N Chandrababu Naidu and K C Rao respectively regarding their preparedness to face the fast approaching cyclone Hudhud. The Home Minister has assured them of all help saying the the Centre is closely monitoring the progression of the cyclone.
According to reports of India Meteorological Department (IMD), very severe cyclonic storm is likely to hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by October 12 and cause heavy rainfall. Gusty winds would blow in the area reaching speed up to 155 kmph.
Hudhud will be the second major cyclone after Phailin that struck the eastern coast in October last year. Phailin caused wind gusting up to 210-220 kmph, causing extensive damage.
National Disaster battalion each comprising 1150 personnel in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has been kept on standby. Four teams each comprising of 55 personnel have left for Visakhapatnam and they would be further repositioned based on the request made by the two State Governments.