Sphere India SITREP CYCLONE LAILA May 21, 2010 (1300 hrs) The cyclonic storm ‘LAILA’ remained practically stationary and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 21 st May 2010 near Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The current environmental conditions and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models suggest that the system is likely to weaken gradually and move initially in a northerly direction and then recurve into a northeasterly direction towards Orissa. Under the influence of this system, widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cms or more) is likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during next 24 hours. Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the same period. In all, about 71,000 people were evacuated to relief camps, and 11 towns and 1492 villages affected by the cyclone in the form of snapping of electricity and inundation. Though Laila's intensity reduced considerably, the winds blowing at a speed of 90-95 kmph continue to leave behind a trail of destruction, though not of the level that was feared before it made the landfall. Gale force wind with speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours. Sea condition will be high to very high along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours. CASUALTIES: Of the 16 human casualties that were caused by being washed away in the torrential waters, electrocution and wall collapse, four were from East Godavari, three from Nellore, two each from Guntur, Krishna, Prakasam and Visakhapatnam and one from West Godavari. Many others were reported missing in various coastal districts. WARNING: Orissa on Thursday evacuated nearly 4,000 people from three seaside villages and moved them to safer places amid fears of high tidal waves due to the severe cyclonic storm Laila formed over the Bay of Bengal, officials said. The residents were moved from the villages located near the Bay of Bengal at Gopalpur in the southern district of Ganjam, some 170 km from here - which officials fear could be worst hit by the sea surges. "We have moved about 4,000 people from Ramiya Patna, Podampeta and another fishing village to nearby cyclone shelters," District Collector V.K.Pandian said. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at a few places over southern and northern parts of Orissa during next 48 hours. The state government has alerted all district administrations although the main impact of the cyclonic storm is likely on the coastal districts. "The impact may be on coastal districts," Sundaray said, adding 1 that a few districts such as Gajapati and Ganjam may witness flash floods. Besides, the Chilika lagoon might see storm surges. PATH OF CYCLONE LAILA: PREDICTED INTENSITY OF THE WIND : Based on latest analysis with NWP models and other conventional techniques, estimated track and intensity of the system are given in the Table below: Date/Time(IST) Position (lat. 0N/ long. 0E) Sustained maximum surface wind speed (kmph) 21-05-2010/0530 16.0/81.0 75-85 gusting to 95 21-05-2010/1130 16.5/81.0 65-75 gusting to 85 21.05.2010/1730 17.5/82.0 55-65 gusting to 75 2 22-05-2010/0530 18.5/84.0 50-60 gusting to 70 22-05-2010/1730 19.5/86.0 45-55 gusting to 65 23-05-2010/0530 21.0/88.0 50-60 gusting to 70 23-5-2010/1730 22.0/90.0 55-65 gusting to 75 DISTRICT LEVEL SITUATION: SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT: The high tides caused by cyclone Laila destroyed fibre boats worth Rs 20 lakh in Manchineellapeta under Vajrapukotturu mandal of Srikakulam on Wednesday. The fisherfolk were caught unaware and the boats, nets and outboard engines were washed away into the sea. The waves surged into the land up to 100 meters. KRISHNA: Fishermen suffered lakhs of rupees of loss as Cyclone Laila damaged their boats while the nets went missing in the sea. In all, 260 motor boats and 176 country boats were damaged in Krishna district during the last two days due to the influence of the cyclone. One motorised fishing craft and 54 country boats were lost in the sea. Besides, 260 motorised fishing boats and 176 country boats have been damaged. A total of 1,230 nets have been lost and prawn culture was damaged in 80 hectares due to the influence of Laila. The district collector, Mr Peeyush Kumar, on Thursday said loss to horticulture was estimated at Rs 4.40 crore as fruit and vegetable crops were damaged in 560 hectares while the yield loss has been estimated at 11,110 metric tonnes. He said power supply was affected in 436 villages due to cyclone and supply was restored in 410 villages by Thursday. He added that 35 sub-stations were restored against the 36 damaged in the district. The collector said loss to agriculture was estimated at Rs 3.48 crore due damage to paddy heaps in 600 hectares and damage to shieves in 120 hectares. Mr Peeyush Kumar said 35 commandoes of NDRF team were deployed along with boats and other rescue material. He said 6,560 people were evacuated from eight mandals and rehabilitated in 27 places. The collector said 13,020 food packets, 1.50 lakh water sachets and 790 litres of milk was distributed in the cyclone shelters till Thursday. He said the district administration is taking measures to ensure supply of food and water to the rehabilitated families. 3 VISAKHAPATNAM: Some of the low-lying areas like Railway New Colony, Poorna Market and Sebastian Colony were under a sheet of water after the heavy downpour. Busy junctions like Siripuram and Asilmetta also saw water flooding a few places.Authorities at the collectorate said that damage was minimal with 15 boats damaged, the loss estimated at Rs 4.59 lakh. More than 2,087 families in the district have been evacuated and relocated to safer areas. Relief camps have also been organised in the various mandals of the district with water and food provided to evacuees. The district recorded a total rainfall of 49 cm, while Gajuwaka received the maximum of 11.3 cm. NELLORE & PRAKASAM: Prakasam district bore the brunt with Addanki recording a record rainfall of 55 cms, followed by Kothapatnam (35 cms), Naguluppalapadu (34.2 cms) and Ongole (32.3 cms). Several regions of the district were completely submerged in water and went without electricity even before the cyclone hit the coast. The Nellore district administration has already shifted 9,000 people living in 11 villages to 19 camps as a precautionary measure. Kerosene, rice and milk packets are being transported to the headquarters of coastal mandals. The district recorded an average rainfall of 56.4 mm of rainfall till 5.30 pm with the highest rainfall of 146.8 mm in Tada mandal. Heavy damage to banana plantation, betel leaves and mango gardens also reported. EAST & WEST GODAVARI: Cyclone Laila left a trial of devastation in both East and West Godavari districts with the inundation of paddy fields, damaged roads, overflowing canals, uprooted electric poles and snapped power lines under the influence of heavy rainfall with gales. In East Godavari, based on preliminary reports, paddy crop was damaged over about 142 acres, 41 houses were damaged fully and 70 partly. As many as 3,684 people were evacuated to 16 relief camps in coastal villages in Amalapuram division. In West Godavari, the district administration has set up 77 relief camps to provide shelter to 4,643 people. As many as 35 personnel from the national disaster force and 35 men from the Indian Navy were deployed to assist the district administration in evacuation of affected villagers mainly from Narasapuram, Bhimavaram and Eluru mandals. GOVERNMENT EFFORTS: • The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, told mediapersons at the Secretariat that such cyclonic phenomena were “tests” of nature. “I am trying to overcome these tests with sheer commitment,” he said, and asked officials to be alert for another 24 hours till the cyclone passed. “We have taken all preventive measures to minimise the loss of lives and property,” said the Chief Minister. “The official machinery is prepared to deal with any eventuality.” • The revenue minister, Mr D Prasada Rao, however, said the danger from cyclone still loomed. The cyclone damaged crop in 4,000 hectares wrecked 300 meters of R&B road in Nellore district. Further, 35 houses have been destroyed and 95 partly damaged. • The government evacuated 51,000 people from harm’s way and housed them in 255 relief camps where they were provided 1,01,486 food packets and 2.75 lakh water sachets. 4 • Around 300 Army personnel have been in East and West Godavari and Krishna districts, while the Indian Air Force kept four helicopters on cyclone duty. Ten AN-32s and an IL-76 cargo aircraft have been kept on standby. • All 12 units of the National Disaster Relief Federation were being re-deployed in Prakasam district along with 80 boats. • With electricity and communication systems disrupted in Prakasam district after heavy gales dislodged cell towers, officials were using BSNL landlines and satellite phones for rescue work. EMERGENCY MEETING IN ANDHRA PRADESH: Go-NGO Committee (Govt. of Andhra Pradesh), The Inter Agency Group A.P., and Sphere India call for an Emergency Meeting on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. The meeting will be chaired by Shri. T. Gopala Rao, Executive Vice-chair, Go-NGO Coordination Committee.