| Follow us on:
|
![[AP]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Phailin-300x169.jpg)
Warnings to return to shore have been issued to fishermen at sea [AP]
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a “very severe cyclone alert” with a maximum sustained wind speed of 175-185 kmph for the eastern Indian state of Odisha and southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
The weather body in New Delhi said it expects extensive damage to houses, partial disruption of power and communication lines, minor disruption to rail and road traffic and flooding of escape routes.
Extensive damage to agricultural crops has also been forecast as severe rain and gale winds are expected.
Warnings to return to shore have been issued to fishermen at sea in the state of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Authorities have also been asked to prepare evacuation procedures in coastal areas and stock food and relief materials at cyclone shelters.
Helicopters and satellite phones have been readied for rescue and relief operations.
The warning has raised fresh concerns of the cyclone turning into a super cyclone.
A super cyclone in 1999 struck 14 coastal districts of Odisha and left tens of thousands dead.
The helpline number of the Odisha Central Control Room is 0674—2534177, the sources said.
District control room numbers are as follows:
Mayurbhanj — 06792 252759
Jajpur — 06728 222648
Gajapati — 06815 222943
Dhenkanal — 06762 221376
Khurda — 06755 220002
Keonjhar — 06766 255437
Cuttack — 0671 2507842
Ganjam — 06811 263978
Puri — 06752 223237
Kendrapara — 06727 232803
Jagatsinghpur — 06724 220368
Balasore — 06782 262674
Bhadrak — 06784 251881
Source: Agencies
