Cyclone Hudhud: Met Department predicts heavy rainfall in south Odisha

The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for South Odisha districts on Sunday when Cyclone Hudhud hits Odisha after it makes its landfall near Vishakhapatnam along Andhra Pradesh coast this afternoon.

"After crossing the coast it will maintain its intensity towards Northwest direction. That's why under its influence heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in South Odisha districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Phulbani ,Koraput, Malkangiri," said S C Sahoo, Director of Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar.

"Wind speed also may also increase after crossing the coast ...The wind speed at Gopalpur is about 50 kmph. Last 24 hours also we got data upto 6.30 in the morning of about 61 mm rainfall has been recorded there," he added.

Meanwhile Nodal Officer, Indian Air Force, R Choudhary said, "Everything is ready, as soon as we receive the instruction from headquarter we will start our operation, we are fully prepared."

Cyclonic storm Hudhud has made landfall at Kailasagiri in Vizag,with smashing 180 kmph winds recorded in Vizag. Five diving teams have been dispatched to Srikakulam and 10 teams to low lying areas in and around Vizag for rescue and relief operations.

Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth will also chair a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee at today.