Cyclonic storm Titli, which made an early morning landfall in Odisha’s Gopalpur before crossing Andhra Pradesh, uprooted trees, electric poles and damaged mud huts in eastern India, where authorities had already moved nearly 300,000 people to higher ground. According to the Home Ministry, “The wind speed is likely to decrease gradually due to the weakening of the cyclone.” “The very severe cyclonic storm Titli crossed north Andhra Pradesh south Odisha coast near Palasa in Srikakulam district to the southwest of Gopalpur, as a very severe cyclonic storm with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph between 4.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m.,” the statement said. The affected districts so far include Odisha’s Khurdha, Ganjam, Puri, Gajapati Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Balasore. The Ministry said that 30 district emergency operation centres have been activated to track and respond disaster effectively. “The situation is being closely monitored at different levels,” the Ministry statement added.
