A woman stands near her damaged house hit by Cyclone Titli in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Friday. (PTI photo)
Cyclone Titli, which made landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha early Thursday morning, weakened into a deep depression and moved towards northeast on Friday, reported PTI. The storm is now likely to further lose its strength and enter the Gangetic West Bengal. Skymet Weather has predicted heavy rainfall in various districts of West Bengal, Bangladesh, and also parts of northeastern India including Tripura and Mizoram.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Digha, Kolkata, Contai, Purulia and both the North and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal in the next 24 hours. It is likely to intensify by Friday night and continue until Saturday morning. Fishermen have also been issued alerts and advised not to sail into the sea along and off the coasts West Bengal and Odisha, deep sea areas of North and Central Bay of Bengal till Saturday, reported PTI.
On Thursday morning Cyclone Titli made landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha with surface wind speeds of 126 kmph, reported news agency PTI. Late Thursday night, PTI reported the death of an eight-year-old boy by drowning in a canal in Ganjam district. As many as 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed along with the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) at several places across the state. Read in Bangla.
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi told reporters the government is monitoring rainfall in various parts of the state and is alert to any potential flood situation. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has constituted a three-member ministerial committee to visit the three worst-affected districts to monitor rescue and relief operation.
Cyclone Titli HIGHLIGHTS: Fishermen along the coast and central and north Bay of Bengal have been advised not to venture into sea till Friday.
Bihar and Jharkhand will also get rainfall in isolated areas.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered immediate supply of essential commodities to the families affected by CycloneTitli.
According to Odisha government, the average rainfall of the state recorded on Friday for the last 24 hours is 74.1mm. Nine districts recorded an average rainfall more than 100 mm. The flood situation in three south Odisha districts —Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada— is worrisome as the water levels in Rushikulya and Vansadhara crossed their danger marks, official sources told PTI. The districts received highest rainfall for three days under the impact of Cyclone Titli that made landfall at Palasa near Gopalpur in Ganjam on Thursday morning.
The state government of Orissa has decided that all offices would remain open during Puja vacation.
The cyclone system is expected to give rainfall over Bangladesh as well as north eastern parts of the country. Skymet Weather has predicted heavy rainfall over both Tripura and Mizoram on Friday and Saturday. Weather conditions are expected to be clear after October 14.Parts of Assam may also experience some rainfall along with Nagaland and Manipur. However, the state of Arunachal Pradesh will not be affected, predicted Skymet weather.
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Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik has constituted a three-member ministerial committee to visit the three worst-affected districts to monitor rescue and relief operation. Of the 22 blocks in Ganjam district, 13 were badly hit due to cyclone and floods. Blocks like Aska, Purusottampur and Sanakhemundi were inundated by rainwater as well as water from Rusikulya river gushed into the villages, a senior official said. The low-lying areas in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and the pilgrim town of Puri also remained waterlogged due to rain."A large number of pumps have been pressed into service by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to clear water," a civic body official said.
Skymet weather has predicted heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal including Digha, Kolkata, Contai, Purulia and both the North and South 24 Parganas in the next 24 hours. Rainfall is expected to intensify by today evening and continue until tomorrow morning.
The North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Burdwan, Howrah and Hooghly districts in the Gangetic West Bengal are likely to be affected the most, weathermen told PTI. Heavy rain is also likely in Kolkata, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Malda, North and South Dinajpur districts till Saturday.
Fishermen have also been issued alerts and advised not to sail into the sea along and off the coasts West Bengal and Odisha, deep sea areas of North and Central Bay of Bengal till Saturday, reported PTI.
The meteorological department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Gangetic West Bengal till Saturday as the cyclonic storm 'Titli', which has weakened into a deep depression, moved towards northeast, reported PTI.
The storm is likely to further lose its strength and turn into a depression as it moves through Odisha and enter the Gangetic West Bengal following landfall at Gopalpur in Ganjam district of Odisha, the weathermen told PTI.
At least 16 trains have been cancelled, 11 others have been rescheduled, three others were partially cancelled and nine trains were diverted following the incessant rain triggered by Titli, East Coast Railway official said, PTI reported.
The water on railway track in Berhampur-Palasa section submerged since last night and is yet to recede due to constant rain. The official further reported that water level has touched the danger mark at a bridge between Ichhapuram and Jhadpudi stations in Berhampur-Palasa railway section.
Among the 16 trains cancelled are:
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu took to Twitter and appealed to people to stand for the citizens of Srikakulam, facing severe problems due to the storm and work together until the conditions are met. he further wrote all departments are working in coordination to evaluate the loss of crop and property.
All India Radio News reported that the cyclone is gradually weakening and isolated rainfall was recorded over Rayagada, Ganjam and Gajapati districts in Odisha.
Major rivers including the ones in south Odisha are in spate and stretches of low-lying areas have been inundated by rainwater, PTI quoted Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi. Several rivers including Rushikylya, Vansadhara and Jalaka, have started to swell due to constant rainfall.
'We have been moving people to safe places at Chikiti, Dharakote, Patrapur and Sanakhemundi blocks of Ganjam district as river Rushikulya is in spate,' said SRC.
The water level of Vansadhara river has touched 84.35m and 56.30m at Gunupur and Kashinagar respectively, crossing the danger mark of 84m and 54.6m. Similarly, the water level of river Rushikulya has crossed the mark of 16.83m and touched 18.60 metre at Purushottampur in Ganjam.
'The administration is prepared to deal with emergency situations,' the SRC said, PTI quoted.
Office of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed six pregnant women were rescued from Hinjili area and Ganjam district. The women were taken to CHC Hinjili last night and four babies were delivered successfully by an OG specialist early morning today. The CM's office affirmed that mothers and babies are doing well.
The Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar has issued a press release predicting moderate to severe thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, intense rainfall and strong surface wind in several districts of Bhubaneswar including Khurdha, Mayurbhanja, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Kendrapada and Deogarh between 12 pm and 2 pm today.
Indian Coast Guard has deployed its team in Aksa town, Ganjam district, Odisha for assistance and relief operations. The ICG relief teams and district administration are working together to rescue as many people.
IMD predicted the weather conditions for next two days in cyclone-hit areas
Tomorrow: Heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to fall at isolted places over Assam, Meghalaya, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Nagaland. The squally wind speed is likely to increase reaching 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. Sea conditions will be phenomenal around the system centre over Westcentral Arabian Sea and over Guld of Aden.
October 14: Heavy rain is likely to fall at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura and Kerala. Strong winds reaching 105-115 kmph gusting to 130 kmph will prevail over west central Arabian Sea. Sea conditions will be very rough around the system centre over west central Arabian Sea and over Gulf of Aden.
National Disaster Management Authority has confirmed seven deaths in Andhra Pradesh, quoting Andhra Pradesh Emergency Control Room.
Six villages of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh are most affected due to heavy rainfall, of which two villages, Miliapattu and Srinivaspuram are most affected and remaining Gopalapuram, Punch Padu, Mukundapuram & M Gangaipadu are moderately affected, Andhra Pradesh Emergency Control Room stated.
AP Emergency Control Room stated 2,050 people have been rescued so far, sheltered in 15 relief camps. Seven teams of NDRF and six teams of SDRF have been deployed in the cyclone-hit areas.
The Special Relief Organization (SRC) conduct rescue operation in Ganjam district, Odisha.
(Source: SRC twitter)
In the past six hours, the deep depression over Odisha moved East-Northeastwards with a speed of 8 kmph. India Meteorological Department reports the cyclone is very likely to move Northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal and weaken into depression in the next 12 hours. Strong winds of 45-55 kmph along and off Odisha and West Bengal are very likely to gust to 65 kmph in the next 12 hours. Sea conditions in along Odisha, north ODisha coasts and West Bengal would be range from rough to very rough during 24 hours.
Photo gallery of the cyclone: Cyclone claims 8 lives in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha loses one
(Source: PTI photos)
Fishermen engaged in their work as Cyclone Titli hits the coast starting with surface wind effect reaching speeds of 126 kmph at Gopalpur, in Ganjam. (PTI photo)
Fishermen prepare to leave the beach during rain and strong winds caused by cyclonic storm named Titli, near Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal coast, Ganjam district, eastern Orissa state on Thursday. (PTI photo)
All India Radio News has reported the cyclone has weakened and is moving towards North East direction. Thousands of passengers are stranded at Vishakhapatnam, Puri and Balasore railway stations.
While you were sleeping, late last night PTI reported a death of an eight-year-old boy in Odisha, who drowned in a canal in Ganjam district. Six families were reported missing and search to trace them is on. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had yesterday said 'Mission Zero Casualty'- a target set by the CM to prevent loss of life- had been achieved, however, one death was reported last night in the state. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reached Srikakula reached late last night and overlooked the situation with the district authorities. Read| Cyclone Titli claims seven lives in Andhra Pradesh; Odisha loses one, six still missing
Good Morning! Welcome to our LIVE blog on the cyclone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha yesterday and assured them "all possible help" from the Centre to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone.
Horticulture crops suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district while paddy crops suffered damage in Vizianagaram. Coconut plantations, banana and mango trees were the worst hit, according to a preliminary official report. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said.
Odisha chief secretary AP Padhi said the damage in the state due to Cyclone Titli was less than what was feared. The cyclone triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts of Odisha, causing minor damage to power and communication. "There has been no major destruction or report of casualty from any part of the state so far. Some damages like uprooting of trees and electric poles and damage to hutments were reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Efforts are now on to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees and to restore power supply in affected areas, he said.
NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in Andra Pradesh's Srikakulam and neighbouring Vizianagaram district to take up rescue and relief operations. Several houses were also damaged in villages close to the coast in Vizianagaram district. As a precautionary measure, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has suspended its services in Srikakulam district. The NH-16 was also closed for traffic in the district as a precautionary measure.
Kotabommali Mandal, about 40 km from Srikakulam city, and Palasa, a municipality about 80 km from Srikakulam near Odisha border, were the worst affected as almost all the electricity poles in both the areas were uprooted. Most parts of Srikakulam does not have power supply and officials said it might take at least a week for power to be restored in Palasa and nearby areas. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed Srikakulam district officials to focus on relief measures and restoration of power and communication lines. "Every hour is crucial now and care should be taken to prevent spread of diseases,’’ he said in a tele-conference with officials.
Srikakulam district bore the brunt as the strong winds uprooted a large number of coconut trees. (Express photo)
Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts in Andhra Pradesh are the worst affected by Cyclone Titli, which hit the coast near Palasa close to the border with Odisha. Srikakulam district bore the brunt as the strong winds uprooted a large number of coconut trees. Uprooted trees fell on the roads, disrupting the vehicular traffic. The state-owned road transport corporation suspended all bus services on the Andhra-Odisha border area. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the cyclone situation at a meeting with top officials in Vijayawada. He directed officials to launch relief operations and closely monitor the situation.
In Andhra Pradesh, several trains have been cancelled or diverted due to the cyclone. According to East Coast Railway, railway stations were damaged at several places. The station at Palasa suffered massive damage. Teams of railway officials were studying the impact of cyclone between Palasa and Brahmpur.
Visuals from Palasa railway station in Srikakulam district. (Source: ANI)
An officer of Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre said north Andhra Pradesh would witness wind speeds between 50-60 kmph on Thursday. "Very rough conditions still prevailing over west central Bay of Bengal. Fishermen advised not to venture into the sea," the duty officer, Srinivas, said. He further said immediately after Cyclone Titli made its landfall, wind speeds reached 140-150 kmph. "Gradually, it is weakening. Now, it will come down to 50-60 kmph. It'll prevail till evening today and maybe for sometime after night," Srinivas said.
Eight people have died in Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts in Andhra Pradesh due to Cyclone Titli, ANI reported. Power supply and communication systems have been affected in both districts. Coastal villages have been cut off from the mainland, with several roads being damaged.
The IMD has suggested the following actions:
Damage Expected over districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh; Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri districts of Odisha: