NEW DELHI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in eastern Indian state of Odisha Wednesday issued an alert in wake of the severe cyclonic storm that is likely to hit the coast in next less than 24 hours, officials said.
According to Indian Meteorological department officials cyclone Titli over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm Wednesday and was moving towards the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast, triggering rainfall in several parts of Odisha.
Titli which means butterfly in Hindi, has been categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm.
The cyclonic storm is likely to hit the coast Thursday morning.
"The coastal areas of Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh are bracing themselves for cyclone Titli that is likely to make a landfall tomorrow morning at 5:30 (local time)," officials said.
According to local government officials in Odisha, people in five coastal districts were being moved to safer places after the storm intensified.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called a meeting of senior officials in the afternoon to take stock of the preparedness in the face of the cyclone.
Reports said six teams of the national disaster response force (NDRF) and 11 of Orissa disaster rapid action force (ODRAF) have also been positioned at different places for rescue operations. Apart from this navy and air force have been put on alert.
"More than 300 boats had been kept ready for the likely flood situation in different districts," local media quoting officials said.
Authorities have also closed schools and social welfare centres for children in the districts close to coast.
The meteorological department officials have advised fishermen along the Odisha coast and central and north Bay of Bengal not to venture into sea until Friday.
