Bhubaneswar: A very severe cyclonic storm is likely to cause widespread damage to houses, power infrastructure, trees and standing crops in Odisha and adjoining states, with strong winds, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flooding and possible landslides forecast in several areas, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters, Mohapatra said the storm could bring destructive winds to parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, posing a threat to settlements, infrastructure and agriculture.
In parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the coastal belt between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, wind speeds could reach 90-120 kmph, he said.
Southern Odisha was likely to experience wind speeds of 60-80 kmph, with gusts reaching 90 kmph, after the cyclone’s landfall, according to the IMD chief.
The impact was expected to be felt in districts such as Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Rayagada, where the system was likely to approach on the evening of October 28, he said.
Similar wind conditions were forecast in parts of southern Chhattisgarh, including Sukma, Dantewada and Bastar, as well as parts of northeastern Telangana, including areas between Mahbubnagar and Khammam.
Mohapatra said the cyclone was expected to move inland after approaching the Yanam region and track northwestwards, affecting parts of southern Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and northern Andhra Pradesh before moving towards eastern Madhya Pradesh and gradually weakening.
Rainfall had already begun in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely in several areas. Extremely heavy rainfall was also possible in some locations, with southern Odisha expected to receive significant rainfall on October 28, he said.
The storm could cause extensive damage to standing crops, particularly paddy and horticultural produce, including banana, papaya and drumstick crops, Mohapatra said.
Coastal areas and agricultural fields in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were among the vulnerable areas, while parts of Chhattisgarh and Telangana could also face crop losses due to strong winds and heavy rainfall.
The IMD chief cautioned that intense rainfall could lead to urban and riverine flooding. Landslides were also possible in the Eastern Ghats, particularly in areas receiving very heavy rainfall.
Strong winds could uproot large trees, snap branches, bend or uproot electric and telephone poles, and damage kutcha houses, tin-roofed structures and asbestos-roofed houses. Kutcha roads could also suffer extensive damage, he said.
Mohapatra urged people to remain indoors during the period of severe weather, particularly from the evening of October 27 to the night of October 28. Those who needed to venture outside were advised to exercise caution.
The IMD was monitoring the system continuously and issuing updates and advisories every three hours, he said, urging the public to rely on official information and not believe rumours or unverified reports about the cyclone.
