‘Titli’ Strikes: Bay Of Bengal’s Latest Cyclone Makes Its Landfall Southwest of Gopalpur In Odisha

Cyclonic storm Titli has made its landfall to the southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha, between 6 am and 6.15 am on Thursday. The cyclone which was deemed ‘very severe’ crossed Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast (near Palasa, Srikakulam district) to make the landfall. The wind speed due to the cyclone was touching close to 149 kmph, The Hindu has reported.

About 3 lakh people have been evacuated by the government. Ganjam, Puri , Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Kendrapara are the coastal districts that have been evacuated and their residents have been moved to safer zones.

Meteorological department officials said that after continuing landfall for 3-4 hours, the system will weaken by re-curving towards Gangetic West Bengal along the Odisha coast.

The Odisha government, in a precautionary measure has declared a two-day holiday.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Response Force (ODRF) have already been deployed in the state. Control rooms and shelter homes have been setup in the state and all the officials are on high alert to tackle any situation.

Trains, buses and flight services have been cancelled in the area. The trees and electric poles in the coastal region between Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur have been uprooted.