Cyclone Gulab: Flood, inundation in low lying areas among other damages expected

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Gulab, which is likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts by the evening of 26th September, may cause various damages including flood, inundation in low lying areas and damage to power and communication lines, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its bulletin.

Below are the expected damages as per the IMD.

* Damage to thatched huts.

* Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches.

* Major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads.

* Some damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.

* Sea water inundation in low lying areas after erosion of Kutcha embankments.

* Localized flooding of roads, inundation and water logging in low lying areas and closure of underpasses mainly in urban areas of the concerned regions.

* Occasional reduction in visibility due to heavy rainfall.

* Disruption of traffic in cities due to water logging in roads leading to increased travel time.

* Possibilities of damage to vulnerable structure.

* Localized landslides/mudslides.

* Damage to horticulture and standing crops in some areas due to inundation and strong winds.

* It may lead to riverine flooding in some river catchments.

The cyclonic storm is likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur around Kalingapatnam by evening of 26th September.

Wind Warning

* 25th Sept: Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph very likely over Northwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal and increase gradually becoming gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph from the evening and 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from 26th morning till evening.

* Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph likely to prevail along and off Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts. It will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from afternoon of 26th till midnight along & off north Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam Districts) and adjoining adjoining south Odisha coasts (Ganjam, Gajapati Districts), 55 -65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph along & off Khordha,Puri, Rayagada and Koraput districts, 50 -60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. Squally wind speed reaching 40 -50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph likely to prevail along & off remaining parts of Odisha & Andhra Pradesh & West Bengal coasts on 26th Sept. and over northeast Bay of Bengal on 25th & 26th Sept.

Storm Surge Warning

Tidal wave of about 0.5 m height above the astronomical tide likely to inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Ganjam districts during the time of landfall.