Cyclone Hudhud is approaching the coast of Visakhapatnam with the wind speed of 180 kmph. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, cyclone Hudhud has hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh and it is expected to make a landfall soon within an hour.
At the time landfall, gusty winds are expected to touch the speed of 200 kmph with the tides surging to the height of up to 20 feet. Areas falling within the range of 200 km on either side of the eye of the cyclone will experience very strong wind speed and exceptionally heavy rainfall.
At present, it is about 20 km away from the coast and the peripheral thick cloud bands are already affecting Visakhapatnam and neighbourhood areas. Visakhapatnam is already experiencing very heavy rainfall. Hoardings and trees are uprooted due to heavy winds.
As per Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the cyclone is still maintaining the intensity of a very severe cyclonic storm. However, it will gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm post the landfall, in a meter of hours.
Over four lakh people have been evacuated till now. People have been warned to stay indoors to avoid any untoward incidence. Electricity supply has also been cut off since morning as a precaution in Visakhapatnam.
Teams of the Army, Navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on standby for rescue and relief operations. As reported by NDTV, 17 Coast Guard Ships, nine aircraft, 44 teams of NDRF with over 2,000 rescuers have been deployed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had called an emergency high-level meeting to review preparations for the cyclone and to ensure 'zero casualty'. The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a 24-hour helpline--011-23093563, 23093566; Odisha-1948, Andhra Pradesh-1949
