Cyclone ‘Gulab’ inching closer to south Odisha; leaves of Govt employees cancelled

Bhubaneswar:  In view of the possible cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’, which is expected to make a landfall near Kalingapatnam between Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam by tomorrow evening, Odisha Government has geared up to meet any eventuality.

At a presser, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep  Jena today informed that 42 ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), 24 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams along with fire personnel will be deployed in seven districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. The seven districts are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Koraput.  

“Even as Collectors of these seven district were already cautioned last evening, a meeting was held with authorities of NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services this morning. While the seven district already have 107 existing Fire Services teams, 42 ODRAF teams (each having 10-12 members) and 24 NDRF teams will be deployed in the alerted districts: Ganjam (15 ODRAF, 6 NDRF) Gajapati (6 ODRAF, 4 NDRF) Rayagada (6 ODRAF, 4 NDRF), Koraput (3 ODRAF, 4 NDRF), Malkangiri (6 ODRAF, 2 NDRF), Nabarangpur (3 ODRAF),  Kandhamal (3 ODRAF),” the official informed.

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As part of precautionary measures, four NDRF teams will be deployed in Nayagarh as the district might get affected if there is heavy rain in Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Besides, 11 Fire Services, six ODRAF and eight NDRF teams have been kept in reserve for emergency, he further said.

“We are being prepared for the possible devastation caused by strong wind, heavy rainfall and flash flood. Timely evacuation will be made from vulnerable areas,” he added.

Under influence of possible cyclone, heavy rain with gusty wind speed 75-85 gusting to 95 is likely to prevail in southern Odisha districts. The possible heavy rainfall in the districts may trigger flash flood in Rushikulya, Bansadhara and Nagabali rivers. Besides, moderate rain will start in north coastal regions from this evening, the IAS officer added.

Also Read: Cyclone Gulab in Odisha: Know district-wise wind speed prediction by IMD

Meanwhile, Gajapati and Koraput district administrations have cancelled public holidays on September 25  and 26. The Collectors have directed Government officials and employees to remain present at their headquarters to meet any emergency. 

As per the IMD, the Deep Depression over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved westwards with a speed of 14 kmph in last 6 hours and lay centered at 8.30 AM of September 25 over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 470 km east-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 540 km east-northeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 6 hours.

It is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur around Kalingapatnam by evening of September 26.