Cyclonic storm warning for Odisha, Andhra Pradesh: IMD

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday warned of cyclonic storm in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

It said the depression over westcentral & adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours.

“The depression over westcentral & adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed about 15kmph in past six hours, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 20^th September,2018 over westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 17.50 N and longitude 87.00 E, about 310 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam (Coastal Andhra Pradesh) and about 300 km east-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha),” said the IMD.

“It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross south Odisha – north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam & Puri (Odisha), close to Gopalpur around mid-night of today, the 20^th September as a cyclonic storm with wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph,” said the IMD bulletin.

“Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh Coasts during next 06 hours. It will gradually increase becoming 60-70 kmph gusting 80kmph from today evening for subsequent 12 hours,” said the IMD bulletin.

“Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70kmph is very likely over central & adjoining north Bay of Bengal around the deep depression centre. It will gradually increase becoming 60-70kmph gusting to 80kmph over northwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal from today, the 20^th September evening for subsequent 12 hour,” the bulletin further said.

Damage expected over districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri districts of Odisha, it said.

“Damage to thatched huts; Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads. Some damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards. Sea water inundation in low lying areas after erosion of Kutcha embankments,” it said.

The IMD advised the fishermen not to venture into northwest Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 24 hours.