Cyclonic storm DAYE crossed the Odisha coast near Gopalpur early Friday, triggering heavy downpour accompanied by high-velocity winds in several parts of the state.
DAYE moved with a speed of about 23kmph and crossed south Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coast close to Gopalpur in the early hours of Friday, Director, Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, H. R. Biswas said.
DAYE then lay centred over south Odisha, about 40km west-northwest of Gopalpur and about 150km east-southeast of Bhawanipatna, he said.
Biswas said DAYE would continue to move west-northwestward and weaken gradually into a deep depression.
As DAYE made landfall, it brought heavy to very heavy rainfall in some places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts of Odisha, officials said.
Under its impact, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to lash several places in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts till Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department said.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely to occur at some places in Balangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts till the morning of Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department said.
The Indian Meteorological Department centre also warned of gale wind with speed reaching 60-70kmph and gusting up to 80kmph along and off south Odisha coast for a few hours.
The impact of DAYE was felt more in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
The state government has instructed officials in coastal districts and various departments to be alert to tackle any emergency situation, official sources said.
Danger signs with signal number 3, which warns of surface winds clocking 40-50kmph, have been hoisted at all ports of Odisha, officials said.
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting on DAYE and directed the officials to keep a close watch on the situation and take steps to ensure no loss of life. He also asked them to arrange adequate relief materials.
The cyclone warning division's (CWD) advisory said the sea will be very rough over central and north Bay of Bengal and off Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh coasts.
There will also be a storm surge of about 0.5m above astronomical tides and it is likely to inundate low-lying areas of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts in Andhra Pradesh and Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts in Odisha at the time of landfall, it said.
The chief minister asked officials of the coastal districts to be alert and prepared.
Patnaik issued direction for cancelling holiday in government offices in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda districts, which are likely to be hit by fierce winds.
The IMD has also predicted damage to thatched hut, roads, crops and minor damage to power and communication lines in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts at the time of landfall. Local cautionary Signal Number LC-III to be kept hoisted at all ports of Odisha, it said.
Reports about damage, if any, were being ascertained, said officials.
As roads and power supply are likely to be affected due to DAYE, Patnaik asked the departments concerned to take steps in advance to ensure quick restoration works.
He directed that special attention be given to water, electricity supply and hospitals, an official in the CMO said.
Taking the situation into account, the NDRF and the ODRAF have been deployed in different districts. One NDRF team each has been deployed in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts with 17 boats and other emergency equipment.
