Cyclone Gulab Crosses North Andhra Pradesh & South Odisha Coasts, Two Deaths Reported So Far

Cyclone Gulab is likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next 6 hours, IMD informed.

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday informed that the cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’ crossed north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.

“The Cyclonic Storm GULAB crossed north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, about 20 km north of Kalingapatnam and lay centred at 20:30 hours IST of 26th September 2021 over north Andhra Pradesh,” the IMD had tweeted. 

In its most recent update, the IMD also informed that Cyclone Gulab was about 20 km north of Kalingapatnam between 7:30 to 8:30 pm IST, and lay centred at 8:30 pm IST over north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

It is likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next 6 hours.

2 Fatalities Reported In Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam 

In terms of casualties, two deaths have been reported in Andhra Pradesh after six fishermen from Srikakulam fell in the sea after strong waves hit their boat off Mandasa coast while they were returning this evening. 

Out of these 6 persons, three reached ashore safely and two others died. One fisherman who was on the boat is still missing, ANI reported.

Earlier, referring to the IMD's cyclone alert in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Satya Narayan Pradhan had informed that 13 teams (24 sub-teams) have been deployed in Odisha and five in Andhra Pradesh. 

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has set a ‘zero casualty’ target in the vulnerable districts as the state braced for ‘Gulab’ after Cyclone Yaas wreaked havoc in May, news agency PTI reported.

Informing about the prevailing situation, Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said that the landfall process, which started around 6 pm, is still continuing. The entire cloud mass is expected to move from the seaside to the landside in 1 to 1.5 hours. Rainfall in Odisha continued to be mild to moderate.

“IMD reports indicate that rainfall is likely to increase as the night progresses. District administration impressed upon to maintain vigil. No major landslides have happened so far. As of 9 pm, about 39,000 people have been evacuated in 6 districts,” he added, as quoted by ANI.

PM Modi Speaks To Andhra Pradesh & Odisha’s Chief Ministers 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to take stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Gulab. 

Informing about the interaction, PM Narendra Modi tweeted: “Spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Shri YS Jagan 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”.

In another tweet, he wrote: “Discussed the cyclone situation in parts of Odisha with CM Naveen Patnaik Ji. The Centre assures all possible support in overcoming this adversity. Praying for the safety and well-being of everybody”.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also chaired a virtual meeting in Delhi to review the preparedness in the view of Cyclone Gulab. He spoke with the chief secretary and district collectors of Odisha to discuss the precautionary measures. “There is a total of ten districts which will be affected by the cyclone by today evening”, he said, as quoted by ANI.

On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a meeting to review the state's preparedness. He directed the officials to take all necessary steps, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) informed. 

Officials informed CM Reddy that control rooms were set up village secretariat-wise and added that they have readied disaster management staff in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts.