Visakhapatnam: Cyclone Gulab crossed the seashore between Kalingapatnam in AP and Gopalpur in Odisha at around 6 pm on Sunday evening. The Cyclone Gulab triggering heavy rains along with strong winds over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Coastal Odisha.

According to the IMD the Cyclone will continue for next two to three hours. The cyclone is likely to impact Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts in North Coastal Andhra. Srikakulam district authorities evacuated 1,100 people from low lying areas and shifted them to 61 relief centres.

Two teams of NDRF and four teams of SDRF have arrived in the region as the meteorologists have warned that heavy rainfall could lead to floods. The entire coastal region has been put on alert in view of the impact of cyclone. The district administration has opened control rooms to monitor the situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and took stock of the situation arising in the wake of cyclone. Modi in a tweet assured that all possible support from the Centre. I pray for everyone’s safety and well being.

Indian naval ships and aircraft are on standby for rescue and relief operations in the areas likely to be affected by the cyclone. The Navy is closely monitoring the movement of the cyclonic storm. Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command, and Naval Officers in Charge Odisha area have carried out preparatory activities to combat the effects of cyclone and are in constant liaison with the state administrations for rendering assistance as required, an official release said.

In an official press release said that as part of the preparedness, flood relief teams and diving teams are positioned at Odisha and are ready at Visakhapatnam to render immediate assistance. The cyclonic storm is likely to trigger heavy rains at one or two places over Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts over the next 24 hours. The IMD has issued red warning for these districts.

Heavy to very heavy fall at a few places is very likely over East Godavari, West Godavari districts, and Yanam. Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, the IMD bulletin said. Wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast.

It will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph, gusting to 95 kmph, from afternoon of September 26 till midnight along and off north Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts).

Wind speed reaching 40 to 50 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail over remaining districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. As sea condition will be rough to very rough, fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea till September 27. Local cautionary signal III was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Kakinada ports. Distant warning signal II was hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam ports.