Cyclone Gulab: Odisha Govt Asks Collectors of 7 Dists to Remain Alert

Bhubaneswar: In view of the IMD’s cyclone Gulab warning, the Odisha Government today asked the Collectors of seven districts to remain alert and take adequate measures in advance.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena today discussed with the Collectors of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput, and reviewed the preparedness of the administrations to face the possible cyclone situation.

The SRC said that a depression condensed in the Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hrs. It is expected to cross south Odisha- North Andhra Pradesh coasts around Kalingapatnam by the evening of 26 September.

Under the influence of the weather system associated with the cyclonic storm, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput, he said.
The Collectors of the seven districts have been alerted to be prepared as there are chances of squally winds, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and flash floods in hilly areas. Heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding in Rushikulya, Vamsadhara, and Nagavalli rivers.

The Collectors have also been alerted to be prepared for landslides in Gajapati and Rayagada districts as faced during Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli.

As many as 42 ODRAF teams and 24 NDRF teams will be deployed in the seven districts, while there are 102 teams of Odisha Fire Services present in the districts to carry out search and rescue operations, the SRC added.

Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has issued warning for all major ports – Gopalpur, Puri, Paradeep and Dhamra ports off Odisha coast.