Cyclone Gulab Updates: Cyclonic Storm Starts To Make Landfall, Leaves Six Fishermen From AP Missing

The five fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell into the sea after strong waves hit their boat near Mandasa coast while returning from the sea on Sunday evening.

Chennai: The landfall process of Cyclone Gulab started on Sunday evening as it was expected to make landfall within Sunday night, according to a bulletin by the Indian Meteorological Department. The Cyclone started the landfall between Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur In Odisha. 

According to the updates by news agency ANI, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds as a result of the cyclone making landfall.

On the other hand, five fishermen are feared missing in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam. The Sub Inspector of Vajrapukotturu police station, Govindarao said, five fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell into the sea after strong waves hit their boat near Mandasa coast while returning from the sea on Sunday evening. The police and other officials are trying to rescue the fishermen.

Speaking to ANI, Srikakulam Joint Collector Sumit Kumar said, "The district administration has opened around 61 relief centers and shifted 1100 people to these centres."

"Next 2 hours are crucial. We expect winds to blow at the speed of 90-100 km/h. Two teams of NDRF and 4 teams of SDRF have arrived here. Heavy rainfall could lead to floods, which is another challenge. The 19 mandals in the district are flood prone," said Sumit Kumar.

Meanwhile, a report by PTI informed that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has set a 'zero casualty' target in the vulnerable districts ahead of the landfall of Cyclone 'Gulab' on Sunday. Previously, Cyclone 'Yaas' wreaked havoc in May and within four months the state is set to witness another cyclone.