Bhubaneswar: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli crossed south Andhra Pradesh south Odisha coast near Palasa, Srikakulam district as a “very severe cyclonic storm with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150kmph gusting to 165kmph between 4.30 am and 5.30 am Thursday.
Gopalpur reported 126kmph wind speed at 4.30 am Thursday. The wind speed is likely to gradually decrease due to weakening of the cyclone.
Affected districts: Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore.
The cyclonic storm caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts. Damage of thatched and asbestos houses and street lights and road blockage due to falling trees were reported in Ganjam district. Further, minor damage to power and communication have also been reported in the district.
Preparedness:
- In 30 districts emergency operation centres activated to track and respond to the very severe cyclonic storm effectively.
- 300 power boats of special relief organisation kept ready with crew and POL for relief operation.
- 879 multi-purpose cyclone/flood shelters kept in readiness for sheltering people to be evacuated.
Prepositioning of Response Forces:
- 13 NDRF teams deployed ( 2 teams each at Ganjam and Puri and one each in Gajapati, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Jajpur, Kurda, and Sambalpur)
- ODRAF teams deployed in nine districts ( Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Boudh and Kalahandi.)
- Fire services teams are on alert to respond at short notice of the district administration.
Evacuation:
1) Around 3.00,000 people have been evacuated.
2)1112 relief camps have been opened for the evacuees in the shelters.
3)105 pregnant women in Ganjam and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals.