What you need to know about Cyclone Phailin
FAQs, advisories and helpline numbers
1) What does Phailin mean?
It’s the Thai word for sapphire.
2) What is it, actually?
Right now, it’s being described as a very severe cyclonic storm. This is a level below a super cyclone, when the maximum sustained wind speed is above 220 kilometres per hour.
3) Where did it come from?
Phailin began as a deep depression in the Malay Peninsula on 8 October. The Malay Peninsula comprises areas such as the southernmost tip of Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, and Southern Thailand.
4) When and where will Phailin make landfall in India?
Some 45km south of Gopalpur, a port town in Ganjam district of Odisha between 6pm and 8pm on 12 October. Gopalpur falls between Paradip in Odisha and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
5) What will be the impact on landfall?
IMD’s forecast talked about a storm surge up to 12 feet. Other than high velocity winds, severe rains in excess of 25cm is expected across the costal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
6) Which districts are expected to be affected most?
Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, Khurda, Balasore and Bhadrak (in Odisha); Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram (in Andhra Pradesh). Costal districts of West Bengal are also on alert.
7) Have there been worse ones?
The Odisha super cyclone on 29 October 1999. With a wind speed between 260kmph and 300kmph, the super cyclone killed some 10,000 people.
(Source: IMD, Skymet, National Disaster Management Authority)
DO’S AND DON’TS
Before the cyclone:
Check the house; secure loose tiles, carry out repair works for doors and windows.
Remove dead wood or dying trees close to the house; anchor removable objects such as lumber piles, loose tin sheds, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards, etc., which can fly in strong winds.
Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass windows can be boarded if needed.
Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery operated torches and enough dry cells.
Demolish condemned buildings.
Keep some extra batteries for transistors.
Keep some dry non-perishable food always ready for emergency use.
During the cyclone:
Listen and monitor warnings.
When your area is under a cyclone warning, get away from low-lying beaches or other low-lying areas close to the coast.
Leave early before high ground or shelter gets flooded.
Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place.
Provide strong suitable support for outside doors.
Get extra food, which can be eaten without cooking. Store extra drinking water in suitably covered vessels.
If you are to evacuate the house, move your valuable articles to the upper floors to minimize flood damage.
Have hurricane lanterns, torches or other emergency lights in working condition and keep them handy.
Small and loose things, which can fly in strong winds, should be stored safely in a room.
If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly over your house there will be a lull in the wind and rain, lasting for half and hour or so. Do not go outside, because the lull will be followed by very strong winds blowing from the opposite direction.
Switch off the electrical mains of your house.
After the cyclone:
Remain in the shelter until informed that you can return to your home.
You must get inoculated against diseases immediately.
Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from lamp posts.
Clear debris from your premises immediately.
Source: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
The government has set up helpline numbers to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin
In Odisha
Ganjam 06811-263978, Puri 06752-223237, Jagatsinghpur 06724-220368, Kendrapada 06727-232803, Bhadrak 06784-251881, Balasore 06782-262674, Mayurbhanj 06792-252759, Jajpur 06728-222648, Cuttack 0671-2507842, Khordha 06755-220002, Nayagarh 06753-252978, Gajapati 06815-222943, Dhenkanal 06762-221376, Keonjhar 06766-255437
In Andhra Pradesh
Srikakulam - 0894-2240557/ 9652838191, Visakhapatnam- 1800425002, Vizianagaram- Toll Free: 1077/0892-2236947, East Godavari- 0884-2365506, West Godavari- 0881230617, Krishna- 086722525 Toll Free – 1077, Guntur- 08632345103/08632234990, Nellore- 08612331477
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