Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli crosses Odisha coast

Bhubaneswar: The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli crossed north Andhra Pradesh- south Odisha coast between 4.30 AM and 5.30 AM on Thursday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Titli made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, to the southwest of Gopalpur, as a very severe cyclonic storm with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph.

Gopalpur reported 126 kmph wind speed at 04.30 am on Thursday.

The landfall process continued for the next two to three hours. The wind speed is likely to gradually decrease due to the weakening of the cyclone.

Affected Districts

Ganjam, Khurdha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore affected due to the cyclone. The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati & Puri districts of Odisha.

Damage of thatched & asbestos house, Street lights, roads blockage due to the falling of trees, is reported in Ganjam District. Further, minor damage to power and communication have also been reported in Ganjam district.

Preparedness Measures

30 District Emergency Operation Centres activated to track & respond the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm effectively.

300 Powerboats of Special Relief Organisation kept ready with crew and POL for relief operation.

879 Multi-purpose cyclone/ flood shelters kept in readiness for sheltering people to be evacuated.

All Government officials to stay in HQRS and not to avail leave. All schools, Colleges and AWCs will remain closed till 12″ of October 2018.

Prepositioning of Response Forces

Thirteen NDRF teams deployed (Ganjam-2 teams, Gajapati, Puri-2 teams, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsingjpur, Balasore, Jajpur, Khurdha and Sambalpur districts).

ODRAF teams deployed in 9 districts (Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Boudh and Kalahandi).

The fire services team are in the alert to respond at short notice of the district administration.

Evacuation

Around 3,00,000 people have been evacuated

1112 relief camps have been opened for the evacuees in the shelters

105 Pregnant women in Ganjam & 18 in Jgatsinghpur have been shifted to Hospital