`Gulab': Cyclone crosses Andhra-Odisha coast; 26K people evacuated, three missing fishermen untraceable

The cyclonic storm Northwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal crossed North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts about 20 KM North of Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district. Ministry of Earth Sciences said the system crossed with a maximum sustained wind speed of 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph during 1930 and 2030 hours.

It lay centered at 8.30 p.m. over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, about 160 km southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 30 km west of Kalingapatnam. It is likely to move west northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression.

Nearly 26,000 people have been evacuated to safer places including cyclone shelters located along the 110 km coastline in the Srikakulam district.

Hundreds of trees have been uprooted in several mandals. The power supply was affected in many areas in the Tekkali division as electrical poles fell off. Roads too were badly damaged.

Three fishermen, who ventured into the sea, have gone missing even as cyclonic storm Gulab approached the Andhra Pradesh coast on Sunday. Six fishermen, who went to Odisha to buy a new boat, were returning to Manchinella Peta of Palasa Mandal when the incident occurred on Saturday.

With the rough sea owing to cyclonic storm Gulab, the boat capsized. However, three fishermen— Vanka Chiranjeevi, Y.Paparao, and Konda Bhimarao—managed to swim to the coast, while the other members of the group—Vanka Nayakanna, Pitta Hemarao, and Bunga Mohana Rao— went missing.

Minister for Animal Husbandry Sidiri Appala Raju urged the Navy and Coast Guard officials to launch a search to trace and rescue the fishermen.

As many as 61 relief centers have been established in 13 mandals in the Srikakulam district to ensure the safety of people in the low-lying areas. The government had already declared a holiday for schools and colleges for the next two days.

Officials urged people to remain indoors till normalcy was restored. People facing trouble could contact the control room (08942­240557) in the District Collector's office. Revenue Minister Dharmana Krishna Das visited the Vamsadhara river and asked the officials to inform people in advance about the discharge of excess water from the Gotta barrage.

Madhurawada, Bheemili, Arilova, Simhachalam, Anandapuram, and MVP Colony received heavy rain and winds at around 9 p.m. Branches of trees fell across the roads in these areas. Drains were overflowing in many areas and roads were under a sheet of water due to continuous rain since Sunday afternoon.