Cyclone Hudhud may hit Odisha Coast on Oct 12

On October 12, 2013, Cyclone Phailin had caused widespread devastation in Odisha’s Ganjam district with port town Gopalpur being the worst hit. Several other districts, including Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh and Cuttack were also hit by Phailin. The storm spoiled the Durga Puja celebrations too. This year on the same date, another cyclone may hit Odisha. It has been named as Hudhud, an Afro-Eurasia bird. As it is Oman’s turn to name the next cyclone, they have chosen this bird’s name.

The cyclonic storm is brewing in the Bay of Bengal. It appeared as a low pressure on Monday by triggering little rains elsewhere in the state. The low pressure has been formed over the south Myanmar coast and adjoining Andaman Sea. It is likely to be turned into a depression on October 7 before taking the shape of a cyclone next day.

The landfall may occur somewhere between Puri and Paradip. Wind speed of up to 100 km/hour is expected when the cyclone hits the coast.  All parts of Odisha will witness heavy rains on October 11 and 12. The cyclone may cause damage in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kurda, Nayagarh and parts of Ganjam district.

Apart from Odisha, Cyclone Hudhud may also hit parts of Andhra Pradesh. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam may receive huge rainfall. The picture will be clear over the next two days and it will be known whether it will just remain a depression or cause damage as a cyclone.