Cyclone Gulab LIVE Updates: Cyclone to weaken into deep depression during next 6 hours

The Cyclonic Storm ‘Gulab’ over north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha, weakened into a Deep Depression at 2.30 am over north Andhra Pradesh. It is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and weaken further into a Depression during the next six hours.

The India Meteorological Department said that the cyclone Gulab is likely to move nearly westwards and weaken into a deep depression during next 2-3 hrs.

Director Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas said that cyclonic storm Gulab has crossed 20km north of Kalingapatnam and will enter Odisha's Koraput at around midnight.

The landfall process, which started around 6 pm, is still continuing. The entire cloud mass is expected to move from the seaside to the landside in 1-1.5 hours. Rainfall in Odisha is mild to moderate: PK Jena, Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha.

"IMD reports indicate that rainfall is likely to increase as the night progresses. District administration impressed upon to maintain vigil. No major landslides have happened so far. As of 9 pm, about 39,000 people have been evacuated in 6 districts," PK Jena, SRC, Odisha said.

"The CS GULAB crossed north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts, about 20 km north of Kalingapatnam during 1930-2030 hrs IST, and lay centered at 2030 hrs IST of 26th Sep over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, likely to move west-northwestwards & weaken into a DD during next 06 hrs," IMD said.

Cyclone Gulab is likely to weaken into a deep depression during the next x hours, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.

"The Cyclonic Storm GULAB crossed north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, about 20 km north of Kalingapatnam and lay centred at 20:30 hrs IST of 26th Sep 2021 over north Andhra Pradesh," India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.

A total of six fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell in the sea after strong waves hit their boat off the Mandasa coast. Two of the fishermen died, three reached ashore safely and one fisherman is still missing. Rescue operation by the Indian Navy is underway.

16,000 villagers have been evacuated from Odisha's Ganjam district due to the cyclone, says PK Jena, SRC, Odisha. The landfall process, which began at around 6 pm, will last for the next 2-3 hours over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Coastal Odisha.

Cyclone Gulab has made landfall in the coastal areas of north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed, The cyclone will cross the coasts between Andhra Pradesh's Kalingapatnam and Odisha's Gopalpur in the next three hours. 

"The cloud bands have touched coastal regions and thus the landfall process has commenced over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south coastal Odisha. The system will cross coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur, about 25 km to the north of Kalingapatnam, during the next three hours," the IMD tweeted.

The landfall process, which commenced at around 6 pm, will continue for the next 2-3 hours over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Coastal Odisha, says IMD

Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh witnessed strong winds and heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Gulab. As per IMD, the landfall process has commenced in the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

"District administration has opened around 61 relief centres and shifted 1100 people to these centres," said Joint Collector Sumit Kumar.

"The next two hours are crucial. We expect winds to blow at the speed of 90-100 km/h. Two teams of NDRF and 4 teams of SDRF have arrived here. Heavy rainfall could lead to floods, which is another challenge. 19 mandals in the district are flood prone," Srikakulam Jt. Collector Sumit Kumar said.

Five fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam fell in the sea after strong waves hit their boat off Mandasa coast while returning from the sea this evening. Police & other officials are trying to rescue them, Govindarao, Sub Inspector, Vajrapukotturu PS, said.

NDRF teams have reached Srikakulam Andhra Pradesh, and a warning has been issued to fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next four days. Authorities shifted people from low lying areas in Kalinghapatnam, Srikakulam and coastal areas.