(MENAFN- QNA) Indian authorities were planning evacuations and deploying disaster management teams as a powerful cyclone over the Bay of Bengal moved towards the south-eastern coast on Friday.
Cyclone Hudhud was expected to hit Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states on Sunday afternoon, packing winds of up to 140 kilometres per hour, the Indian Meteorological Department said.
The National Disaster Response Force mobilized 35 teams in both states, Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Local agencies were stockpiling food rations at relief shelters and assessing coastal villages and towns that were to be evacuated, broadcaster NDTV reported. Fishermen were warned not to put to sea.
Cyclones often form over the Bay of Bengal, bringing widespread destruction and flooding to India's southern and eastern coasts.
Cyclone Phailin battered the same region exactly a year ago with wind speeds of more than 200 kph and claimed more than 50 lives.
Phailin was India's most powerful storm since super Cyclone Odisha with sustained winds of 260 kph killed 10,000 people in Orissa 15 years ago.
The relatively low death toll last year was put down to thorough preparation and evacuations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.