Odisha, Andhra Pradesh brace for Cyclone Hudhud

Meteorological Department on Sunday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for South Odisha districts when the Cyclone Hudhud lashes Odisha after it makes its landfall near Vishakhapatnam along Andhra Pradesh coast around noon.

S C Sahu, Director of Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar said, "The very severe cyclone storm...has moved to Northwestwards in last six hours and the speed was about 15 kmph ..The system is likely to move to Northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Vishakhapatnam by noon today."

"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," he added.

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

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

Cyclonic storm Hudhud is now approximately 90 km south-east of Vizag and is likely to make landfall reassessed at North of Vizag off Bheemunipatnam by 12 pm today.

Twenty four NDRF teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and 18 in Odisha.

Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said helpline numbers 1948 and 1949 have been started for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

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Thirty diving teams, eight ships, six helicopters, four Dornier MR Aircrafts have been kept on standby for rescue and relief operations.