Cyclone Hudhud heading for Odisha, Andhra coasts

NEW DELHI: Cyclone Hudhud is heading toward north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and is set to hit the coast by October 12. A cyclone alert has been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also a pre-cyclone watch for the north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. The cyclone’s name is of Omanian origin.

The India Meteorological Department ( IMD) said a depression would move west-north-westward and intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and subsequently into a cyclonic storm.

It would cross the Andaman and Nicobar islands close to Long Island by the forenoon. Thereafter, the system would continue to move north-westward to the north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during the next 72 hours.

“By Wednesday, we will get a better picture on where it will make a landfall, at what time etc,” said India Meteorological Department cyclone warning division chief Mrutunjay Mohapatra.

As per climatology, October and November are peak months for the development of cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. This will be the second cyclone after Nanauk in June dissipated over the Arabian Sea.

Under the influence of this system, heavy rainfall is expected to occur over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the next 48 hours.

Squally winds with aspeed reaching 45-55 km per hour in the next 12 hours and touching 70-80 kmph on Wednesday morning would prevail over the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Sea conditions will be rough to very rough along and off the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Minor damage to loose and unsecured structures are expected in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The fishermen were advised not to venture into the Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours.