A.P., Odisha Brace For ‘Very Severe’ Cyclone As IMD Issues Alerts, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying into a "very severe" cyclonic storm.
• The storm is projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the morning of October 28.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for 12 districts in Andhra Pradesh and five in Odisha.
• Sustained wind speeds are expected to be 115-125 km per hour, gusting up to 140 km per hour.
• Preparedness measures include closing educational institutions, warning fishermen, and deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units.

Detailed Insights:

• The low-pressure area intensified into a depression approximately 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
• The system is expected to become a deep depression on Sunday, a cyclonic storm by October 26, and a severe cyclonic storm by October 27.
• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized a "zero casualty" approach, focusing on moving vulnerable populations to safer locations.
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to remain vigilant and issue advance warnings to the public.
• The Bay of Bengal is prone to cyclonic activity, especially during the post-monsoon season (October-December), due to favorable conditions like warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear.
• NDRF is a specialized force under the Ministry of Home Affairs for disaster response, including search, rescue, and relief operations.
• ODRAF is Odisha's dedicated state-level disaster response force, established in 2001, known for its rapid response capabilities.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Low-Pressure Area: A region where atmospheric pressure is lower than surrounding areas, often initiating cyclonic development.
• Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and sustained winds of 31-49 kmph.
• Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: A tropical cyclone with sustained surface wind speeds between 118-165 kmph, as classified by the IMD.
• Red Alert: An IMD warning indicating that severe weather is expected and immediate action is required to minimize impact.