Chennai: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other Central/State agencies were deployed in strength for relief and rescue operations in the wake of cyclone ‘Jawad’ that is set to move in just off the Andhra–south Odisha coast today with wind speeds up to 90-100 kmph and heavy rain.
Tamilnadu has been put on alert and warning signs have been displayed at important ports in the State. Southern districts of Tamilnadu are expected to get heavy rains.
The storm, expected to intensify into a severe cyclone, is likely to make landfall near Puri in Odisha around Sunday noon.
The Andhra Pradesh government has evacuated a total of 54,008 people from three districts ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Jawad, which is likely to reach the state’s north coast over the weekend. The cyclone is likely to make landfall somewhere in Odisha’s Puri before heading out to the Bay of Bengal.
The government has set up 197 relief camps in schools and community halls. 11 teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have been deployed whereas five teams of the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and six teams of Coast Guard are in place.