Odisha: Cyclonic Storm ‘Titli’ formed, likely to become severe

Bhubaneswar: The deep depression over Bay of Bengal eventually intensified into Cyclonic Storm ‘Titli’ today and is likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours.

The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards for some more time, then northwestwards and cross Odisha & adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Gopalpur & Kalingapatnam around morning of October 11, a bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Thereafter, it is very likely to re-curve northeastwards, move towards Gangetic West Bengal across coastal Odisha and weaken gradually.

Wind warning:

Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely to commence along & off Odisha coast from October 9th Night.

It is very likely to increase gradually becoming 100-110 kmph gusting to 125 kmph from 10th October evening onwards along & off south Odisha coast and 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph along & off north Odisha coast.

Rainfall Predictions:

October 9- Isolated heavy rainfall likely in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts.

October 10- Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely to occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore.

October 11- Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely to occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Kandhamal, Boudh, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Bhadrak and Balasore.

October 12- Heavy rainfall at isolated places likely to occur over Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.

Storm Surge Warning:

Storm surge of height of about 0.5 m above astronomical tide is very likely inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda & Puri districts of Odisha at the time of landfall.

Damage Expected over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri districts:

Damage to thatched huts/houses; Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and uprooting of trees.

Major damage to Kutcha & 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.

Action Suggested:

Total suspension of fishing operations. Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.

Fishermen Warning:

The fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off Odisha Coast and Central and North Bay of Bengal till 12th October.