Cyclone Gulab Updates: Cyclone likely to weaken into deep depression in next 6 hours

Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Sunday directed all the District Collectors to keep vigil in view of cyclone 'Gulab'. Kumar gave this instruction to the Collectors through a tele-conference from New Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in Telangana over the coming two days. Therefore, Kumar directed the officials to open special control room in all the districts and to monitor the situation in the event of floods, an official release said here.

Over the next three days, the sea condition will be rough to very rough and fishermen in Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have been asked to not venture into east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea: IMD, reported PTI

Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena said after 12 noon of Sunday, the cyclonic storm suddenly picked up speed and moved over the Bay of Bengal towards the landmass at 25 kilometres per hour (kmph) from the earlier 17 kmph and made the landfall three hours ahead of the expected time.

Odisha: Two NDRF teams have been deployed in Gumma & Gosani blocks in Gajapati district in view of Cyclone Gulab

"We have all the equipment needed in situations like Cyclone & flood & will tackle the situation accordingly," Vishwanath Chaudhari, NDRF Team Commander in Gosani

Cyclone Gulab is likely to weaken into deep depression during the next 6 hours: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

The Telangana government on Sunday put all districts on alert in view of the heavy rains forecast for the state under the impact of cyclonic storm 'Gulab'.

The IMD has issued red alert for north Telangana and orange alert for south Telangana districts. Somesh Kumar asked the Collectors to work in coordination with police and other line departments. The district officials were directed to be on alert with regard to low-lying areas, keep a vigil and take necessary measures on the tanks likely to breach.

They were told to take services of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), if necessary.

#CycloneGulab | Five fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell in the sea after strong waves hit their boat off Mandasa coast while returning from the sea this evening. Police & other officials are trying to rescue them: Govindarao, Sub Inspector, Vajrapukotturu PS

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

Andhra Pradesh: Heavy rainfall, strong winds hit Srikakulam as cyclone Gulab makes landfall; visuals from a relief centre in Kalingapatnam area

"District administration has opened around 61 relief centers & shifted 1100 people to these centres," said Joint Collector Sumit Kumar

Six fishermen from Srikakulam district in north coastal Andhra Pradesh were reported missing in Bay of Bengal on Sunday evening as the cyclonic storm Gulab moved closer to the shore and is likely to make landfall around midnight.

According to the IMD's latest bulletin, light to moderate rainfall is expected over Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in South Odisha and North coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over isolated places in Telangana, North interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

South Central Railways has diverted eight of its train due to the weather conditions owing to Cyclone Gulab. Three of the trains - Puri to Tirupati, Howrah to Yesvantpur and Howrah to Puducherry - have been rescheduled. 

High Risk likely over few watersheds over districts of South Odisha in next 24 hours.

Surface runoff/ Inundation may occur at some fully saturated soils & low-lying areas over the area as depicted in map due to the expected rainfall of Cyclonic Storm “Gulab”.

Andhra Pradesh: NDRF conducts a mock drill of rescue & relief operation at Bandaruvanipeta village in Kalingapatnam in view of Cyclone Gulab

"Those with physical disabilities, old, & children have already been sent to shelter homes," says NDRF Team Commander Sushant Kumar Behera