India – Rivers Overflow as Tropical Cyclone Titli Hits Odisha and Andhra Pradesh

Tropical cyclone Titli made landfall north of Mandasa, Andhra Pradesh, India on 11 October with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services warned of 4 metres waves and a storm surge of 1.4 metres in coastal areas of North Andhra Pradesh and the neighbouring state of Odisha.

At least 7 people have died due to falling trees and collapsing buildings in Andhra Pradesh, where thousands have been left without power as a result of wind damage.

The storm crossed into the state of Odisha early on 11 October, where Gopalpur recorded winds of 126 kmph. The storm brought heavy rain with some areas of Odisha recording over 300 mm in 24 hours. Wind damage and flooding has damaged homes, farmland, roads and bridges.

Disaster officials in Odisha say that the Vansadhara river in Rayagada and Gajapati districts, and the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district and the have broken their banks, causing severe flooding.

Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha, reports that 300,000 people have been evacuated and are staying in over 1,000 relief camps.

In Ganjam District, flooding from the overflowing Rushikulya river has damaged 1,455 houses and 50,246 hectares of crops. Roads have been blocked, leaving 27 villages with a population 9,200 people marooned.

Thirteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 9 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have also been deployed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Khordha, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Boudh and Sambalpur districts.

Flood rescues and evacuations in Odisha after Tropical Cyclone Titli, October 2018. Photo: Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha
Flood rescues and evacuations in Odisha after Tropical Cyclone Titli, October 2018. Photo: Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha