Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, “PHAILIN” over West Central and adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Warning-Thirteen for Odisha Coast: (RED MESSAGE)

The very severe cyclonic storm, PHAILIN over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 11^th October 2013 over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal near latitude 16.9⁰ N and longitude 87.0⁰ E, about 375 km south-southeast of Paradip and 345 km southeast of Gopalpur. It would move northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by evening of today i.e. the 12^th October, 2013 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 210-220 kmph.

Forecast :   Rain/Thundershower would occur at  most places over  Odisha during next 48 hours.

Heavy R/F Warning:  Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls (≥ 25cm) would occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda,  Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Kendrapara in Coastal Odisha during next 48 hours and districts of interior Odisha from tomorrow afternoon for subsequent 48 hours.

Advice for hoisting Storm Warning Signals:

Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) kept hoisted at all ports in Odisha.

Likely impacts and actions:    Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off Odisha coast during next 06 hours. It would increase in intensity with gale wind speed reaching 100-150 KMPH from forenoon and 210-220 kmph along and off districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda,  Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Kendrapara of Coastal Odisha at the time of landfall.  State of Sea along and off Odisha coast will be  rough to very rough and will become gradually phenomenal on 12^th October 2013. Storm surge with height of 3.0 to 3.5 mt above astronomical tide would inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha during landfall.

Damage expected over Odisha:-

Extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to old buildings. Large scale disruption of power and communication lines. Disruption of rail and road traffic due to extensive flooding. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes. Extensive damage to agricultural crops.

 Action Suggested:-

Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas. Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic. People in affected areas to remain indoors during cyclone landfall.

    Fishermen Warning  :-   Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to coast. Fishermen are advised not to  venture into sea. Total suspension of fishing operations.

(Dr. S.C. Sahu)

                                                                Director-in-Charge

                                                               M. C. Bhubaneswar