It is anticipated to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam around 11 am on Tuesday.

“As the system is moving northwards close to coast, some parts of the wall cloud region continues to lie over land. It is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla during next 4 hours as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” the India Meteorological Department said in its hourly bulletin.

The current intensity of the system at the centre is 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

Under the influence of this system, light to moderate rainfall is likely at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in South coastal and adjoining South interior Odisha on December 5 and isolated heavy rainfall over the same region on December 6.

December 5

(Orange Warning)

Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.

(Yellow Warning)

Heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Puri

December 6

(Yellow Warning)

Heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada

While squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph has prevailed along and off Odisha coast of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts since last evening, it is expected to gradually increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from Tuesday evening for subsequent 12 hours.

Also, strong surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph may prevail over Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha on December 5.

The labourers from Sundargarh district who had been to Andhra Pradesh in search of employment were rescued and brought back following steps taken by Odisha Parivar.

After being informed that the workers had been stuck in Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister’s Office instructed the Directorate of Odisha Parivar to take steps to rescue them safely and bring them back to the state, official sources said.

Odisha Parivar Director Dilip Routrai coordinated with the government of Andhra Pradesh, Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department and made necessary arrangements for the safe return of the workers.

All the workers reached Bhubaneswar railway station on Thursday and they were welcomed by Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Pritish Panda on behalf of Directorate.

The workers expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, the Odisha Parivar and the entire team, and the officials of the Labour and Employees State Insurance Department for ensuring their safe return.

“The CM today directed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marandi to visit yesterday’s train accident site in Andra Pradesh and also meet the injured at hospital. Additional Special Relief Commissioner is also accompanying the minister,” a CMO release said.

Over 50 passengers are being treated for injuries.

While expressing grief over the accident, Naveen had last night directed the Special Relief Commissioner and collectors of Koraput and Rayagada to extend immediate help in rescue and relief operations.

Briefing the media earlier in the day, East Coast Railway (ECoR) CPRO Abhijit Sahu said that the rescue operation was completed last night and the focus is currently on track restoration.

“ECoR General Manager Manoj Sharma is monitoring the restoration work at the accident site along with Principal Heads of Departments of ECoR and Divisional Railway Manager Waltair. Eight poclain machines, one 140 tonnes crane and 800 to 900 manpower are engaged in the restoration work,” an ECoR release said.

Also Read: 11 Dead, 50 Injured In Andhra Train Crash; Check Latest Update On Trains Cancelled

The tracks are expected to be cleared by 4 pm.

The deceased, including a woman and three men, have been identified as Umesh Chandra Sahoo, Majulata Sahoo, Trilochan Nayak and Bijay Nayak of Pattamundai area in Kendrapada district.

According to media reports, the accident took place around 4 am when the four were returning in an ambulance, belonging to KIMS hospital, after treatment at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. The front of the ambulance was completely damaged under the impact of the collision.

“While the four died on the spot, ambulance driver Sanjay and oil tanker driver Sankar later succumbed to serious injuries. The bodies have been shifted to Chittoor Government Hospital and a case has been registered at Thavanampalli police station,” Chittoor DSP K Srinivasa Murthy was quoted as saying.