Cyclone Gulab LIVE: The third cyclonic storm of 2021 — Cyclone Gulab — will hit India's eastern coast today. It will make landfall from evening between Gopalpur and Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh. This will be the second cyclonic storm barely four months after ‘Yaas’ wreaked havoc in Odisha.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh after the 'Cyclone Gulab' made landfall over Northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal on Sunday morning.
During the landfall, the wind speed could hover between 90 kmph and 100 kmph. Barring that period, the velocity on Sunday is expected to be limited to 70 kmph. Four-five districts will receive heavy rainfall.
Here are the latest developments on the Cyclone Gulab
Cyclone Gulab likely to cross Andhra, Odisha coasts by midnight
'Cyclone Gulab' is likely to move westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha as a cyclonic storm by today midnight, says IMD. "Gulab is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur as a cyclonic storm by midnight today. The landfall process will commence from the evening of today."
PM Modi speaks to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
PM Modi says he discussed the cyclone situation in parts of Odisha with CM Naveen Patnaik. “The Centre assures all possible support in overcoming this adversity. Praying for the safety and well-being of everybody," tweets PM Modi.
Odisha sets ‘zero casualty’ target
Cyclone ‘Gulab’: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has set a “zero casualty" target in the vulnerable districts, where rainfall activity started in the southern and coastal regions under the influence of the weather system. The cyclone is likely to make landfall between Gopalpur and Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh around midnight.
Taking the stock of the preparedness, Patnaik said all efforts should be made to protect each and every person in the seven identified districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. During his discussion with the collectors of 11 districts, he said that the cyclone’s trajectory is located in an “unconventional region", and the authorities should take extra precaution.
Though the coastal belt of the state has encountered numerous cyclones earlier, the natural phenomenon is new for people in the seven districts.“The CM has appealed to the people to remain indoors, particularly in pucca houses from Sunday evening till 10 am of Monday during which the cyclone will pass through the region," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena told reporters.
Rainfall forecast for today
Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over south Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places is also likely over Telangana and heavy falls at isolated places over north interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
PM Modi speaks to Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he spoke to Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and took stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Gulab. "Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," the PM tweets.
Cyclone Gulab's landfall to start from today evening
IMD: 'Cyclone Gulab' is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur, as a cyclonic storm by midnight today. Landfall to start from today evening.
Cyclone Gulab: 24 NDRF teams, 103 State fire services to be deployed
For Cyclone Gulab, 42 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, 24 NDRF teams, and 103 State fire services to be deployed. Evacuation work is also underway, says Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena.
Cyclone Gulab likely to make landfall from late evening
'Cyclone Gulab' is currently located 180 km southeast of Gopalpur. Most likely it will make landfall from late evening to midnight, between Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha. We'll get a much clearer picture in next 2-3 hours about its path and exact time of landfall, it's expected around midnight...we are anticipating about 70-80 km windspeed with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy in some places, says Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena.
Cyclone Gulab: Pipili bypoll candidates asked to take safety measures during campaigning
Cyclone Gulab: The Returning Officer (RO) of the Pipili Assembly seat in Puri district has suggested to all the candidates in the fray for the 30 September bypoll to take appropriate precautionary measures during their campaigning in view of cyclone Gulab which will make landfall on Sunday night. In a letter to all the 10 candidates, Puri Additional District Magistrate-cum RO said: "You are, therefore, requested to take appropriate measures during campaign and conduct meeting in pucca buildings and if at all necessary, the tent house should be made to resist the wind speed."
-"Cyclonic Storm 'Gulab' over Northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal: Cyclone warning and post-landfall outlook for north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts - Red Message: Gulab is about 180 km East-Southeast of Gopalpur and 240 km East-northeast of Kalingapatnam," IMD tweeted.
- CM Naveen Patnaik: I had a meeting over 'Cyclone Gulab' at Odisha Bhavan, which is expected tonight in around 10 districts of the state; discussed necessary precautions to be taken.
-IMD informed that Gulab is expected to cross north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around midnight on Sunday.
- Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command, and Naval Officers-in-Charge Odisha Area have carried out preparatory activities to combat the effects of Cyclone and is in constant liaison with the State Administrations for rendering assistance as required.
-Flood Relief Teams and Diving Teams are prepositioned at Odisha and are ready at Visakhapatnam to render immediate assistance. Two Naval ships are at sea with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material and medical teams to render assistance in the most affected areas.
-Naval aircraft are kept ready at Naval Air Stations, INS Dega at Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali near Chennai to undertake an aerial survey of the most affected areas, casualty evacuation, and airdrop of relief material as required.
"At 08.30 hours IST of today, 'Gulab' over northwest and adjoining the west-central Bay of Bengal, centred near 18.4°N/86.4°E. To cross north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur, as a CS around mid-night of today," IMD said in another tweet.
-The intensity of the cyclone Gulab will be similar to that of ‘Titli’, which battered Odisha in 2018.
-Ganjam is expected to be severely affected by the cyclonic storm, and 15 rescue teams have been deployed in that area alone.
-As many as 42 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 24 squads of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with about 102 teams of fire brigade personnel, have been dispatched to the seven districts -- Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.
-Malkangiri, Nowrangpur, Koraput, Puri, Kalahandi and neighbouring districts will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall activity. Wind warnings have mainly been issued to Ganjam and Gajapati districts along the coast, according to IMD.
-Authorities in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh have prepared a plan of action to possibly shift about 86,000 families from low-lying areas to cyclone relief shelters.
-Two teams of NDRF have been deployed in Srikakulam district, which is expected to have more impact of the cyclone, and another in Visakhapatnam. An SDRF team has also been positioned in Visakhapatnam for emergency response.
-Under the influence of cyclone 'Gulab' and the developing weather system, rain and thundershower with lightning are very likely to occur at "many places" in south Bengal on Sunday and Monday, and "most places" on Tuesday and Wednesday.
