Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, “PHAILIN” over Odisha

The very severe cyclonic storm, PHAILIN over south coastal Odisha moved north-northwestwards during past 3 hours with a speed of 20 kmph and lay centred at 0230 hrs IST of 13th October 2013 near latitude 20.00 N and longitude 84.50 E, 90 km northwest of Gopalpur over Odisha. The system would move in north-northwestwards and weaken gradually. 

Forecast :   Rain/Thundershower would occur at  most places over  Odisha during next 24 hours.

Heavy R/F Warning:  Heavy to very heavy falls at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls (≥ 25cm) would occur over Odisha during next 48 hours.

Advice for hoisting Storm Warning Signals:

Great Danger Signal Number Ten (GD-X) replaced by Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) for Gopalpur and Puri Ports and Great Danger Signal Number Nine (GD-IX) replaced by Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) for  Paradip and Chandbali Ports.

Likely impacts and actions:    

 Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph along and off Odisha Coast  State of Sea woudh be very rough to high along and off Odisha coast . 

Damage expected over Odisha:-

Extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to old buildings. Large scale disruption of power and communication lines. Disruption of rail and road traffic due to extensive flooding. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes. Extensive damage to agricultural crops.

Action Suggested:- 

Total suspension of fishing operations. Large scale evacuation of population from coastal areas. Total suspension of rail and road traffic in vulnerable areas . People in affected areas to remain indoors. 

    Fishermen Warning  :-   

Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea. Total suspension of fishing operations.

 Post landfall outlook: 

The system is likely to maintain the intensity of very severe cyclonic storm for 6 hours and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm in subsequent 6 hours while moving North-northwestwards across interior Odisha. Under its influence rainfall at most places with heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places would occur over Odisha. 

Source:-Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha