The Cyclone Hudhud, which wreaked havoc across Andhra Pradesh Coast near Visakhapatnam and inflicted minor damages in South Odisha districts, is now moving towards Chhattisgarh via Pottangi (Koraput) and Mathili-Khairput (Malkangiri). It would cross Odisha by 9:30 – 10 PM tonight. It was revealed by Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, Mr. Pradipta Mohapatra. The cyclone has weakened further and won’t cause any damage anywhere apart from triggering rains.

At least 1,56,169 people across nine districts of the state, were evacuated to 1,690 shelter houses before and after the Cyclone made landfall in Vizag. Gajapati district, which was affected the most, witnessed 56,949 people being evacuated. In addition, all people from the Banda Ghati area of Malkangiri district, were also moved to shelter homes. The government has confirmed the death of three people due to the cyclone.

The SRC assured the people that power services would resume by 9 PM today in most areas. However, normalcy would be returned to some areas within 24-48 hours where electric poles and transformers have suffered damages. Heavy rains may prevail in parts of South, North and Coastal Odisha for the next 24-48 hours.