Cyclone Titli landfall: No casualty, damages reported

Detail assessment of losses is being made. Disruption of electricity supply as precautionary measure still continues.

The very severe cyclonic storm (Titli) caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri districts of Odisha but no casualties or major damage were reported.

As per IMD report, ‘Titli’ crossed north Andhra Pradesh and south coast near Palasa in Srikakulam district to the southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha between 4.30AM to 5.30AM at wee hours of Thursday. Gopalpur experienced wind of 126 kilometers per hour at 4.30AM. At 5.30 AM the wind speed went down to 102 kilometer per hour.

This cyclonic storm sustained wind speed of 140-150 kilometers per hour with gusting wind of 165 kilometers per hour during landfall near Palasa.

According Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) of Odisha, Bishnupad Sethi, Titli cyclone affected Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore districts of the State. It caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts.

Some thatched or asbestos houses, street lights as well as road blockage because of falling trees was reported from parts of Ganjam district. But no injury to humans was reported till 9AM. Minor damage to power and communication has been reported from some parts of Ganjam district, official sources said.

Around three lakh people were evacuated to safe places in coastal districts of Odisha for the ‘Titli’ cyclone. Around two lakh of them were of vulnerable areas of Ganjam district. One thousand one hundred and twelve relief camps were opened to shelter evacuees. They were also sheltered at 879 multipurpose cyclone shelters. In Ganjam district, 108 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals. In Jagatsinghpur district number of shifted pregnant women was 18.

Odisha was well prepared to face the cyclone. As per Mr Sethi, 30 district emergency operation centers were activated to respond to untoward incidents. Three hundred power boats were kept ready with crew. All schools, colleges and anganwadi kendras in the State will remain closed till October 12.

Thirteen NDRF teams were deployed in Ganjam (2 teams), Gajapati, Puri (2 teams), Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Jajpur, Khurda and Sambalpur districts. ODRAF teams were deployed in nine districts, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kalahandi. Fire services teams were in high alert throughout the State.

The situation is being closely monitored at different levels, said Mr Sethi.