Cyclone Phailin to hit Odisha this evening;lakhs evacuated

Cyclone 'Phailin', said to be the strongest cyclonic storm to hit Odisha in 14 years, is set to make a landfall this evening near Gopalpur as authorities in the state and in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh evacuated over three lakh people from vulnerable areas.
Hundreds of personnel of Army, IAF, Navy and NDRF were positioned in areas vulnerable to be hit by 'Phailin' that was positioned just 260 km off the coast of Gopalpur in Odisha around noon.
With a wind speed of 210-220 kmph, the tides could rise up to 3.5 meters and sea water could enter 300-600 meters in land, the IMD said.

"The cyclone, which is moving at a speed of 15 kmph is expected to hit the coast near Gopalpur from 6 to 8 PM today and is likely to stay for six hours before moving ahead," L S Rathore, Director General of Meteorology told reporters in New Delhi.The wind speed could reach up to 240 Kmph at a later stage, he said.
The department has also predicted extremely heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Rains will also lash parts of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, East UP and Bihar.
"Even after its landfall, the cyclone impact is likely to stay for 6-8 hours after which, it will turn into a cyclone and then into deep depression," he said.

Under impact of 'Phailin', the entire coastal region is being lashed by heavy rains today besides squally wind of above 70 kmph. Uprooting of electric poles and tree branches have been reported in various places.
The Odisha government has evacuated 2.5 lakh people from six coastal districts of the state and the operation has been continuing. Of the 2.5 lakh people, one lakh people alone have been taken to safer places in Gopalpur, officials said.