Cyclone Jawad may make landfall in Puri, 64 NDRF teams ready

Boat anchored along the shore in Puri on Friday. Pic/PTI

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm Jawad, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday. In anticipation, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 64 teams, said officials.

The cyclonic storm is likely to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal off the coast of north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by Saturday morning, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

Thereafter, it is likely to move along the coast of Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh and touch the coast around Puri by December 5 noon, according to the weather department.

The name of the cyclone - Jawad - has been proposed by Saudi Arabia. It is likely to trigger "very heavy" rainfall in coastal Andhra and south coastal Odisha by Friday evening. The intensity could increase the next day. A red alert has been issued for several areas in both states.

NDRF Director General Atul Karwal said 46 teams have been deployed or pre-positioned in the vulnerable states, while 18 teams have been kept in reserve. Each NDRF team has about 30 personnel who are equipped with pole cutters, electric saws to clear uprooted trees, inflatable boats and other relief and rescue gadgets.

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