IMD issues alert, Cyclone ‘Gulab’ to hit Odhisa & Andhra with a speed of 80 kmph

Sept. 25: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday evening said that Cyclone Gulab has formed in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclone ‘Gulab’ is likely to cross the two states on India’s eastern coast with 70 to 80 kmph and gusting upto 90 kmph speed on Sunday evening. As per the satellite observations at 5.30 pm on Saturday, the cyclone was located over northwest Bay of Bengal and was 370 km east-southeast of Gopalpur, Odisha and 440 km east of Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

On Sunday, the Met department has warned of very heavy to extremely heavy rain (115.6mm to over 204.4mm in 24-hours) over south Odisha, north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain is likely over Telangana, north interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Due to rough sea conditions and intense winds, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea till Monday.

Cyclone ‘Gulab’ is likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours. It is likely to move nearly westwards and cross North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur around Kalingapamam by the evening of 26 September.