Super Cyclone Phailin: East Coast India

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 21:06

Super Cyclone Phailin packing winds up to 300 kmph is to hit Eastern Coast India in a few hours time. If you have latest info post here. If you have emergency numbers post them here. There is a big difference between sustained and gust wind speeds. Gusts may be upto 1.5 times the sustained wind speeds. IMD is reporting mostly sustained wind speeds.

NEW DELHI: The weather office may be underestimating the severity of a cyclone which is hurtling towards the east coast, a meteorologist warned on Friday, adding that it could be worse than Hurricane Katrina which devastated parts of the United States in 2005.

Cyclone Phailin is forecast to hit the coast between Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Paradip in Odisha late on Saturday with a maximum wind speed of 220kmph (135mph), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest bulletin.

However, both London-based Tropical Storm and the US navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre forecast winds reaching 315kmph (195mph) on landfall, classifying Phailin as a Category 5 storm — the most powerful .

"Phailin is already worse than what the IMD is forecasting. A recent satellite estimate put Phailin's current intensity on par with 2005's Hurricane Katrina in the United States," said Eric Holthaus, meteorologist for Quartz, a US-based online magazine which covers global economy-related issues.

"Everything I know as a meteorologist tells me this is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane — among the strongest on earth in 2013. That would mean Phailin could be the strongest cyclone ever measured in the Indian Ocean."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 983892.cms

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 21:16

Some Emergency numbers are here:

The government has also announced two emergency control room numbers - 08942 240557 and 9A652838191 in Srikakulam district, while a toll free number 180042500002 was announced as the Phailin emergency number. Poosapatirega mandal tehasildar V Padmavathi in Vizianagaram district has already instructed fisherfolk to not venture into the sea till further instructions. State minister for revenue, relief and rehabilitation, N Raghuveera Reddy, held an emergency videoconference with all the district officials on Thursday and directed them to alert the defence forces for taking up rescue work. He also appealed to the striking employees to participate in the rescue and rehabilitation work.

Ganjam (Odisha) 06811-263700 (O) 06811-263800 (R) 06811-263344 (Fax) Email: origan@nic.in
Khurda (Odisha) Phone: 06755220001 Fax: 06755220001 Email: dm-khurda@nic.in
Puri (Odisha) 06752-222034 (O) 06752-224257 (O) 06752-222033 (R) Fax: 06752-223939 Email: dm-puri@nic.in
Jagatsinghpur (Odisha) Phone: 06724-220379 Fax: 06724-220379
Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh) 08942-222555 (O) 08942-222565 (R) Email: collector_sklm@ap.gov.in
Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh) 08922-276720 (O) 08922-276177 (R) Email: collector_vznm@ap.gov.in
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 0891-2563429 Email: apvis@nic.in

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/mapinne ... ailin.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 940996.cms

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 21:17

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 11 Oct 2013 21:17

Some more info
link

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 11 Oct 2013 21:20

NDMA website:

http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/index.html

Apart from this ticker nothing much is visible

Alert:- Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, PHAILIN over East central Bay of Bengal:Cyclone Warning for North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coast.It would move northwestwards and cross North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by evening of 12th October, 2013 as a very severe cyclonic strom with a maximum sustained wind speed of 205-215 kmph.(Source - IMD).

IMD website: Very slow and possibly avoid using this, lest adding more load

http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cyclone.htm

A animated version of the gathering cyclone:

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/floater ... -long.html

Weather Underground's estimated path map

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/? ... ms=0&pix=0

This twitter account seems to be on top of things:

https://twitter.com/EricHolthaus

EDIT: Oriya TV's twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/otvnews

What is a super cyclone:
http://in.news.yahoo.com/what-is-a-supe ... 53927.html

Google's People Finder

http://google.org/personfinder/2013-phailin

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 11 Oct 2013 21:22

Preparations:
Odisha, AP geat up evacuation as Phailin approaches

Massive evacuation operations are underway in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to shift people from low lying areas to safer places as a severe tropical storm nick named Phailin advanced menacingly towards the eastern coast.

The cyclone, which lay centred at 500 kms south-southeast of Paradip in Bay of Bengal at 1130 hrs, will cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast between Kalingapatnam and Paradip close to Gopalpur tomorrow evening.

The met department predicted heavy to very heavy rain fall, measuring upto 25 cm and squally winds with maximum sustained wind speed of 210-220 kms per hour at many coastal districts of the two states after the storm makes a landfall.

While the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities, as a pre-cautionary measure, has stopped cargo handling operation and removed the vessels from the port area to safe areas, Visakhapatnam port is working normally.

"If any message come from meteorological department then we will take steps to move the vessels from berths to roads", port officials told.

In Odisha, steps are being taken to evacuate five lakh people from vulnerable areas. The collectors of the coastal districts have been directed to ensure zero casualty and evacuate people from low lying areas to cyclone shelters by today evening, said PK Mohapatra, state special relief commissioner.

The Andhra Pradesh government has put collectors of all the nine coastal districts in the state on high alert and ordered evacuation of 64,000 people from low-lying areas.

State revenue minister, N Raghuveera Reddy, who reviewed the situation, said that about 40,000 people in Visakhapatnam, 2,000 in Srikakulam and 4,000 in Vizianagaram districts were being evacuated on Friday. About 850 cyclone shelters were identified to accommodate the distressed people.

While the Odisha government has cancelled the Puja holidays of all government employees, the government employees and the staff of power utilities in Andhra Pradesh, who were on a strike in protest against the proposed bifurcation of the state, have withdrawn their in view of the impending cyclone.

Round-the-clock control rooms have been opened at state, district and mandal levels in the two states to monitor the situation. Fishermen, who had ventured into the sea, have been asked to return to the coast.

The cyclone is expected to wreak extensive damage to kutcha houses, standing crops and power and communication lines and cause disruption of rail and road traffic.

The vulnerable seven districts in Odisha are Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara, Nayagarh and Khurda. Besides, evacuation orders have also been given for Bhadrak and Balasore districts. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the people not to panic and called for united efforts to fight the impending calamity.

Navy, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) are ready for relief and rescue operations, Patnaik said.

The Bhubaneswar met office has asked to hoist Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) at all ports in Odisha and signalled Cyclone Warning-10 for the state coast.

The storm surge with height of around three meter above astronomical tide would inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha during landfall, it predicted.

About 28 NDRF teams are put to operation in the state to carry out the rescue and relief operations.

Phailin likely to hit coast at 6 p.m. tomorrow

Cyclone Phailin — the biggest cyclone in years to hit Odisha — is expected to make landfall near Gopalpur in Ganjam district in the eastern State after crossing an area between Paradip in Odisha and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Five districts were in the eye of the storm with IMD chief Dr. L.S. Rathore identifying Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha and Srikakalum in Andhra Pradesh as those that is likely to be worst hit.

Mr. Rathore said the cyclone storm over east central Bay of Bengal currently lay 450 km southeast of Gopalpur and warned that it will be accompanied by a storm surge of up to three metres in the districts that will bear the brunt.

The Odisha health department cancelled holidays and leaves of all doctors in view of the impending situation even as the State government set a target of “zero casualty” and ordered speedy evacuation of people in seven coastal districts.

The East Coast Railway planned to regulate and cancel about 24 passenger trains between Visakhapatnam and Bhadrak on the Howrah-Chennai Main Line route on Saturday.

64,000 evacuated in A.P.

Authorities began evacuating 64,000 people from the low-lying areas of three vulnerable districts in Andhra Pradesh, State Revenue Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said.

Emergency food supplies and shelters for people expected to flee the heavy winds and rains were also being readied in the vulnerable districts. Disaster management teams were also kept in readiness.

Odisha government set a target of “zero casualty” and ordered speedy evacuation of people in low-lying areas in seven coastal districts which is home to lakhs of people.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony ordered the Armed Forces to be ready to move in to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Two IAF IL-76 aircraft have already airlifted NDRF teams and equipment to Bhubaneshwar.

Chief Secretary J.K. Mohapatra said the government has also directed opening of free kitchens from this evening for the people who would be evacuated to safe shelters. “Dry food should be kept reserved for the next day,” he said adding that the teams for clearing of roads must be kept ready with all required equipment.

“They (road clearing team) must be visible on roads just after the cyclone passes away and they should clear the roads within 12 hours of cyclone,” Mr. J.K. Mohapatra said in his directive.

NHAI authorities have also been mobilized for clearing of National Highways, officials said adding that police have been asked to strengthen patrolling on NH for smooth passage of vehicles carrying relief materials.

“We are making necessary arrangements for air dropping of food packets. Specific teams have been constituted for the purpose who are busy making food packets for 1 lakh people,” a senior officer at the Special Relief Commission’s office said.

“Apart from road cleaning, power and water supply should also be restored within 24 to 48 hours,” Mr. J.K. Mohapatra said adding that the Food Supply department has been instructed to place enforcement squads in each district to ensure that essential commodities were not hoarded or over priced by unscrupulous business men, retailers and wholesellers.

Energy Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena informed that all executive engineers have been kept in readiness and all section offices of distribution companies have been kept ready with teams consisting of 15 to 20 members and necessary material for restoration of power supply.

Mr. Patro has also directed that the services of any government officer who remains absent and does not perform the assigned duties, will be terminated with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the state government held a meeting with NGOs and gave specific responsibilities. “The NGOs are told to to mobilise people for evacuation and to assist in the process of providing them necessary services at safe shelters,” Mr. Patro said.

The minister suggested to the Special Relief Commissioner to spell out the material to be accepted as relief from donor agencies, NGOs and individuals.

Kalinga stadium here is being used as state relief distribution centre.

Meanwhile, the health department cancelled holidays and leaves of all doctors in view of the impending situation

Preparations so far look quite good. I hope the aftermath is much more positive than the 1999 supercyclone.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 21:23

Monstrous!

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 11 Oct 2013 21:24

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 11 Oct 2013 21:32

Not seen such a big Chakravaat near Indian ocean. There was one on western coast about 250km from the coast going northwards to paki/Iran and sea at Mumbai coast was wild if I remember clearly.

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 11 Oct 2013 21:53

Cyclone Phailin is half the size of India and strengthening quickly as it heads for land

http://qz.com/134028/cyclone-phailin-is ... -for-land/
By Eric Holthaus

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), a Hawaii-based forecasting outpost of the US Navy, says Phailin is undergoing “extreme rapid intensification.” While strengthening, the storm has grown to nearly half the size of India itself (image via University of Wisconsin):

The storm’s growth, both in size and in strength, is expected to continue until landfall. The latest forecast from JTWC shows Phailin hitting land on Saturday near Brahmapur, India, at the strength of a category 5 hurricane. That forecast may, in fact, be conservative. Waters over the Bay of Bengal are exceptionally warm right now—more than 28°C, which is the generally agreed upon threshold above which rapid intensification of tropical cyclones is most likely.

Two reasons why Phailin may pack a particularly hefty punch: an ample finish to the 2013 monsoon season has saturated soils along India’s coastline, aggravating Phailin’s flooding potential. Plus, a just-completed ‘eyewall replacement cycle’ could act to further grow Phailin’s size and extent of storm surge damage.

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 11 Oct 2013 22:02

Just heard..............Durga Maa has come on boat this year.

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 11 Oct 2013 22:05

saravana wrote:

WTF is this

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 11 Oct 2013 22:07

Re:Suraj in AP thread , just a rough background
Kalingapatnam, the place the cyclone is expected to make land is 25 km from Srikakulam (district HQ of Srikakulam dist)
The place itself is just a fishing village / town - with a good beach which is why its good place to go on weekends.
The govt hospital itself was recently made into a teaching college (RIMS srikakulam) a 300 bed hospital - don't expect much infra - in form of quality roads etc as Srikakulam is one of the most poorly developed dist s of AP - just a couple of notches higher than that of kbk region nearby in Orissa.
Lot of paddy (watertable is quite high) , cashew etc - in red soil - so the population density in the hilly tracts is low and the plains (paddy growing) areas is as high as rest of the AP paddy belts (these high pop areas will be near the coast as expected) - compared to the interior eastern ghats mostly lying parallel and intermittently juttting near to the coast and then running away from the coast.

There are two rivers side by side in the region.
Vamsadhara river meets ocean near kalingapatnam and is the most likely to experience huge storm surge - and biggest danger of catastrophic flooding.
The Nagavali river flows through the Srikakulam town - the storm surge from the cyclone is again a big danger as the town is quite densely populated.
Few buildings are good enough(as in rest of Indian towns) here to with stand >150 mph winds though - so I pray almighty that the eye will be nowhere near the densely populated towns.

Tribal agency settlements abound - infra and people are quite backward here with bad access to urban areas - and will be totally cut off from the rest - especially in the current conditions.

AP government has also announced two emergency control room numbers - 08942 240557 and 9652838191 in Srikakulam district, while a toll free number 180042500002 was announced as the Phailin emergency number

list of hospital numbers and addresses in Srikakulam town
http://srikakulamonline.co.in/Srikakula ... itals.aspx

Key contacts of Srikakulam govt departments
http://www.srikakulamcollectorate.com/S ... tacts.aspx

10 Oct 2013
1051 :
Cyclone Phailin- Damage Expected- 1. Extension damage to Kutcha house. 2. Disruption of power communication lines. 3. Disruption of rail and road traffic. 4. Potential threat from flying debris. 5. Flooding of escape routes. 6. Expensive damage to agricultural crops. ACTION Required- 1. Fishermen to return to coast and not to venture into sea. 2. People to stay indoors from 11th afternoon till 13th morning. 3. Evacuation of Fishermen -- Collector, Srikakulam

09 Oct 2013
1007 :
"Rapid Response Teams have been formed in the Medical and Health Department in SRIKAKULAM District in all the 18 Health Clusters. This has been done in view of the prevailing seasonal conditions to control epidemics and provide immediate response and relief for public health related emergencies."

Composition of Rapid response team on health and epidemics in Srikakulam - wrt Impending flooding
http://www.srikakulamcollectorate.com/N ... 0Team.xlsx

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 11 Oct 2013 22:07

Ham radio operators geared up for Cyclone Phailin

HYDERABAD: Ham radio operators have swung into action gearing up to offer their services for communication with the dangerous threat of Cyclone Phailin looming large.

Two amateur radio operators — experts who have rendered their services in several disasters in the country and abroad over the years — are rushing to Odisha. The National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) which was set up with the initiative taken by Rajiv Gandhi in 1983 has trained several ham radio operators so far in the country.

In Odisha, as many as 200 trained ham radio operators have been put on alert to rise to the occasion. Ham radio operators help in rescue operations when other means of communications may or may not be working. "Ham volunteers not only in Odisha, but all over the country have been asked to be available if their services are needed. As many as 40 have already volunteers have offered to go to any place if needed," NIAR director S Ram Mohan told The Times of India.

For now VU2JOS Jose Jacob and VU2MCW Mukesh Kumar Gola will reach Odisha by Saturday. "Since the training for the ham operators in Odisha has been given over the years, the job would mainly be to see that there are no technical glitches," Ram Mohan said.

The amateur radio operators from NIAR had helped the Odisha government in critical times when the state was hit by the super cyclone in 1999. Even when the chief minister's residence was without power supply and all telecommunications had got cut, ham radio operators came to the rescue helping the state be in contact with the outside world.

Following the help that was rendered the government took steps to get as many as 200 ham radio operators trained so that they can be depended upon for communication during rescue operations.

Following the alert about Cyclone Phailin, the Odisha state government got in touch with NIAR, Hyderabad to alert the entire network of ham radio operators and participate in the operations that may have to be taken up. "We have eight stations which have been put on active alert while there are 28 stations which are there as back-up at various places in the country," Ram Mohan said.

Usually during a disaster, Ham radio operators who pitch tent at different places share information over the radio so that rescue operations can be carried out.

"Right now, our concentration is on Pradip Port. The amateur radio network is being activated to be of assistance at the right place if the cyclone hits the area," Ram Mohan said.

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 11 Oct 2013 22:19

Suraj wrote:Preparations so far look quite good. I hope the aftermath is much more positive than the 1999 supercyclone.

Even in 1999 many thousands were evacuated. The problem is folks on ground don't take it seriously and stay behind to protect belongings. These were the ones who caused the 10,000 plus casualties last time. Army is forcibly removing folks this time. The only way to do this IMHO. And impose a curfew with shoot on sight to prevent looting.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 22:21

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 11 Oct 2013 22:26

Couple of guys in Orissa are live tweeting

https://twitter.com/debabrata2008

https://twitter.com/deba1602

Going by their tweets the Govt seems to be well prepared.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 11 Oct 2013 22:27

It's like a Sudarshana Chakra

Satya_anveshi · Post by **Satya_anveshi** » 11 Oct 2013 22:43

>>>Odisha government set a target of “zero casualty” and ordered speedy evacuation of people in low-lying areas in seven coastal districts which is home to lakhs of people.
I hope same holds true for AP.

This is the way to go. I hope and pray they succeed and if they do, they need to be recognized and rewarded generously.

saip · Post by **saip** » 11 Oct 2013 23:02

Theo_Fidel wrote:
Suraj wrote:Preparations so far look quite good. I hope the aftermath is much more positive than the 1999 supercyclone.
Even in 1999 many thousands were evacuated. The problem is folks on ground don't take it seriously and stay behind to protect belongings. These were the ones who caused the 10,000 plus casualties last time. Army is forcibly removing folks this time. The only way to do this IMHO. And impose a curfew with shoot on sight to prevent looting.

I am happy that the Army is forcibly evacuating people. People have very short memories and think they can ride out the storm.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 11 Oct 2013 23:08

K. C. Singh ‏@ambkcsingh 11 Oct: @chirag Interesting, now Sani(Saturn)& Rahu conjunct in Tula(Libra). Last so in 1864/65, when cyclone hit Calcutta Oct1864 killing 70,000.

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 11 Oct 2013 23:22

This looks like a monster. There will be devastation and deaths but I hope it would be minimum. The path of cyclone is heavily inhabited by people who are poor and have no means to escape this storm.

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 11 Oct 2013 23:28

Hope the experience of below comes in handy wrt Srikakulam

27 Apr 2013
Revenue :
Conducted Mock-Eercises On Cyclone Disaster Under The Chairmanship Of Collector, Srikakulam And Under The Supervision Of Major General VK Dutta
26 Apr 2013
Revenue :
Conducted Table Top Exercises On Cyclone Disaster Under The Chairmanship Of Collector, Srikakulam And Under The Supervision Of Major General VK Dutta

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 11 Oct 2013 23:30

In 1999 it was lost in the background but many thousands died from inland flooding, in one case 150 kms inland. Some areas received 30-40 cm of rain in 24 hours! The storm surge was about 30 feet and killed people as far as 20 km in land.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 11 Oct 2013 23:33

http://www.gdacs.org/Cyclones/report.as ... enttype=TC

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 11 Oct 2013 23:55

The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy put all departments on high alert in view of the cyclone threat over the North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coast.
All district collectors have been provided satellite phones so that they could remain in touch with the government and mobile service providers were asked to ensure that towers are repaired immediately in case of damage.
Contol Room Numbers:
West Godavari/ Eluru: 08812 230617
East Godavari/ Amalapuram division: 08856 2 33100
Guntur/ Tenali: 08644 223800
Nellore : 1800 425 2499, 08612 331477
Srikakulam: 08942 240557, 9652838191
Prakasham: 08592 281400
Revenue Department : 040-23456005/23451034,
Fax No.040-23451819.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 12 Oct 2013 01:04

Looks like DRDO missile test station at Chandipur is in the eye of the cyclone.

saip · Post by **saip** » 12 Oct 2013 01:30

Any websites/organizations (in the USA) accepting donations?

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 12 Oct 2013 02:12

Critical districts in Odisha with their population counts.

Code: Select all

Code	District	Headquarters	Population(2001 Census)	Population(2011 Census)	                     Area (km²)	                   Density in2011 (/km²)
GN	Ganjam   Chhatrapur         3,130,635	                        3,529,031	                          8,206	         430.1
KH	Khordha   Bhubaneswar      1,877,395	                        2,251,673	                           2,813	         800.5
PU	Puri   Puri                   1,502,682	                        1,698,730	                           3,479	        488.3

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 12 Oct 2013 02:53

It appears land fall is going to be between the border of AP and Odisha. Rain and flooding are going to be a problem all the way to central India. Too much rain already.
Cyclones also spawn tornadoes in land which will also be a concern.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 12 Oct 2013 02:58

saip wrote:Any websites/organizations (in the USA) accepting donations?

Please wait sir. We need to coordinate the help based on the impacted area.

For now, I have asked my family to stock some rice and stuff so we can arrange food etc items to the impacted areas.

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 12 Oct 2013 03:32

ramana wrote:Looks like DRDO missile test station at Chandipur is in the eye of the cyclone.

Not Quite Ramana-ji,
The cities and towns very close to the land fall are, Gopalpur, Koraput, Konark Sun Temple, Vizag. Gopalpur and Vizag are Major ports, Gopalpur has the Tata and the Posco ill fated plants. Gopalpur port has been smashed several times in the past.
HAL has its Aero Engine manufacturing facility at Koraput.
DRDO's Swordfish Radar, which they use for all the missile launches, are directly in the path.

What is more worrisome is that India plans to locate two huge nuclear plant complexes in this very area at - Srikakulam and Pati Sonapur (pretty close to Gopalpur).

But the ITR Chandipur and Wheeler island are about 300 + Kms away from the eye of the storm

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 12 Oct 2013 03:35

The closest airports are Vizag, AP; Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack, Orrisa. The IAF has detachments at all three airports and they will be flying out sorties afterwards for relief and rescue. Vizag and Cuttack are major IAF bases.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 12 Oct 2013 03:43

Harbans,

Thanks for this thread. Let us keep important information flowing. I am very concerned. A Category 5 hurricane heading directly at the homes of millions.

From Accuweather:
Destructive winds well over 160 kph (100 mph) and flooding rain of at least 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected across a wide area. There will be a crippling storm surge of 4-6 meters (14-20 feet), as well as wind gusts to 250 kph, near the landfall point of Phailin which is expected across northeastern India on Saturday.

Anyone residing in the states of Orissa or eastern Andhra Pradesh is encouraged to take proper precautions and prepare for life-threatening conditions.

At present: Phalin is packing winds sustained at 260 kph (160 mph) with gusts to 320 kph (200 mph)...

Phailin has the potential maintain Category 5 intensify until the point of landfall. If that is the case, the impacts will be catastrophic.

The areas expected to be thrashed by Phailan this weekend, specifically in an area from the cities of Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur is home to millions of people.

After making landfall in northeastern India on Saturday, Phailin will track northwestward through interior India and weaken Sunday into Monday, where heavy rain will continue to cause flooding and even mudslides through Monday.

>>>
Looks as bad as 1999..
(There was one almost on this day in 1741 which killed about 300,000 people, and counted as one of world's worst)

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 12 Oct 2013 04:01

From NOAA:

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 12 Oct 2013 04:04

Last time Charbatia got flooded and some planes were lost.

Really nuts to locate nuke power plants in cyclone area. US has some rules about that.

I had to work in that area of expertise in my early career.

Bade · Post by **Bade** » 12 Oct 2013 04:48

This is for reference to the earlier one. Not sure if this one is any weaker to the 1999 one as claimed by IMD.

disha · Post by **disha** » 12 Oct 2013 04:50

Theo_Fidel wrote:
Suraj wrote:Preparations so far look quite good. I hope the aftermath is much more positive than the 1999 supercyclone.
Even in 1999 many thousands were evacuated. The problem is folks on ground don't take it seriously and stay behind to protect belongings. These were the ones who caused the 10,000 plus casualties last time. Army is forcibly removing folks this time. The only way to do this IMHO. And impose a curfew with shoot on sight to prevent looting.

In 1999, the government evacuated itself. The local Orissa government officials saved their lives first and ran away leaving the population clueless. For eg. there was a report of a pregnant lady giving birth on a tree and rescued after 3-4 days. Uses her teeth to cut the umbilical cord of the baby to prevent infection reaching the baby. Imagine that. And why, the staff of the government hospital ran away.

So yeah folks on ground do not take it seriously! What can they do when the government itself runs away!

I am just praying here for the folks in Odisha and AP. And then open up your purses to help the needy.

JwalaMukhi · Post by **JwalaMukhi** » 12 Oct 2013 05:05

Lilo wrote:
The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy put all departments on high alert in view of the cyclone threat over the North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coast.
All district collectors have been provided satellite phones so that they could remain in touch with the government and mobile service providers were asked to ensure that towers are repaired immediately in case of damage.
Contol Room Numbers:
West Godavari/ Eluru: 08812 230617
East Godavari/ Amalapuram division: 08856 2 33100
Guntur/ Tenali: 08644 223800
Nellore : 1800 425 2499, 08612 331477
Srikakulam: 08942 240557, 9652838191
Prakasham: 08592 281400
Revenue Department : 040-23456005/23451034,
Fax No.040-23451819.

The telephone numbers need to be streamlined. Conducting memory test should be for useless tv shows and such. The emergency numbers should be simple to remember and permanent.

disha · Post by **disha** » 12 Oct 2013 05:07

In Orissa if you do not find a government shelter, head for the temples - that is debasthals.

http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/nov/11storm.htm