Cyclone ‘Titli’ over West-Central Bay of Bengal as well as severe cyclone ‘Luban’ far away in the Arabian Sea are both on course to intensify by tonight or tomorrow.
While ‘Titli’ would become a severe cyclone by tonight, ‘Luban’ is set to intensify as a very severe cyclone tomorrow, an India Met Department (IMD) outlook said.
Severe cyclone in Bay
‘Titli’ is currently located about 590 km South-South-East of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 430 km South-East of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
The IMD said it may intensify into a severe cyclonic storm tonight, move northwestwards and cross Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh coasts between Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam tomorrow morning.
Thereafter, it would take a turn to the right (re-curve northeastwards) and move across Coastal Odisha towards the plains of plains of Bengal and weaken gradually.
High winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls are forecast for the coasts. At their peak, winds could muster speeds up to 110 km/hr gusting to 125 km/hr from this evening.
South Odisha and adjoining districts of North Andhra Pradesh coasts would mostly bear the brunt, while slightly less intense winds may lash North Odisha, Bengal and the rest of North Andhra Pradesh coasts.
The sea condition is ‘high’ (wave heights of 20- to 30 ft) over West-Central Bay around the system centre. It could worsen to ‘high’ to ‘very high’ (20- to 46 ft) later today and tomorrow.
Storm surges of height of about 1.6 ft above astronomical tide may inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.
Major to minor damage to huts/houses, communication and power lines has been warned for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
The Met has advised total suspension of fishing operations, with fishermen being advised to venture into West-Central and North Bay till tomorrow. Those out in deep sea areas are advised return home.
‘Very severe’ in Arabian Sea
In the Arabian Sea, the severe cyclone ‘Luban’ was lately located over West-Central Arabian Sea, about 730 km East-South-East of Salalah (Oman), 630 km East-North-East of Socotra Islands (Yemen) and 870 km East-South-East of Al-Ghaidah (Yemen).
It is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm (next only to super cyclone) by tomorrow and move west-northwestwards towards Yemen and South Oman coasts during the next four days.