Chennai: Two fishermen from Andhra Pradesh died in the impact of Cyclone Gulab that gave heavy rains and strong gales as the cyclonic storm made landfall 20km north of Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh. Srikakulam is one of the worst affected areas since several trees were uprooted and initially, six fishermen were feared missing in the sea. However, later some of them returned to sea and of the remaining two fishermen are reportedly dead.
On Sunday, while the cyclonic storm was making landfall a boat capsized leaving all the fishermen missing. However, five fishermen reached the shores but left two fishermen dead in the impact. One of them is reportedly missing, according to ANI.
On the other hand, the Andhra Pradesh administration evacuated hundreds of people from low-lying areas. Several fishermen were evacuated and trains were cancelled.
As the cyclone was making a landfall, the gales smashed over 95 kmph. In the impact, several trees and electric poles were uprooted in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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The state witnessed damages even as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted a review meeting to monitor the preparedness of the state ahead of Cyclone Gulab making a landfall in the state.
According to the latest bulletin issued by Indian Meteorological Centre, the Cyclone Gulab weakened into a deep depression over North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha. "The cyclone is likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken further into a depression within the next 6 hours," IMD said.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring district of Odisha too witnessed heavy rain. Several people were evacuated from the coastal and southern districts of Odisha. The Chief Minister CM Naveen Patnaik who is in Delhi learned about the impact of the cyclone on the districts with the help of a video meeting with senior officials and collectors.