New Delhi: The deep depression mounted over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday intensified into Cyclone 'Gulab' following which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert for north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts.
Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD warned that the cyclonic storm is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur around Sunday evening.
"The deep depression over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of 7 kmph in last six hours, and intensified into Cyclonic Storm Gulab'," the IMD said.
A cyclone warning has been issued for north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts including an 'orange' alert for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.
The 'orange' alert is issued as a warning of extremely bad weather with the potential of disruption in commute with road and rail closures, and interruption of power supply.
According to reports, The Indian coast guards have alerted local fishermen in West Bengal by broadcasting very high-frequency radio weather warnings against low-pressure areas in the Bay of Bengal.
During a press briefing held earlier in the day, the officials said that all sailors on patrol and aircraft under surveillance are sensitising fishermen at sea and guiding them to return to harbour.
ALSO READ | After Henri, It's Hurricane Ida — ‘Another Katrina’: Know How Storms Are Named & What's Coming Next
All Coast Guard installations and ships have been put on alert and directed to maintain the highest level of preparedness to deal with the emergency.
A toll-free contact number- 1554 has been issued by the Coast Guard SAR agency for any emergency or assistance at sea during this climate crisis.
"The low-pressure area is very likely to intensify and turn into a well-centered depression in the next 24 hours. The system is very likely to move west to northwestwards towards Odisha coast during the next 48 hours," IMD said.
Heavy Rainfall Predicted In West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
Heavy rainfall, gusty wind speed reaching 70 kmph, and very rough sea conditions are very likely to remain under the influence of a depression over northwest Bay of Bengal and off West Bengal and Odisha coast.
Heavy to very heavy rain can be expected over isolated areas like Telangana and Gangetic West Bengal and also over Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Interior Chhattisgarh.
The Indian Coast Guard has shared weather information with the fisheries officials of the states of West Bengal and Odisha, respectively.
Coast Guard stations located in both states in collaboration with local fisheries authorities have sensitised the fishing community to bad seas or inclement weather at sea and urged fishermen to refrain from going out to sea till September 29.