Vishakhapatanam: North coastal Andhra districts – Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhaptanam - heaved a sigh of relief from Cyclone Jawad as the storm weakened before re-curving towards Odisha on Saturday.
Except for a death in Srikakulam, the storm hardly incurred any loss to the region. The highest rainfall under the influence of the storm was 23.5 mm at Palasa in Srikakulam district followed by 22.5 mm at Pydibheemavaram in Ranasthalam mandal. Vizag’s Bheemili received 12mm of rainfall.
An intermediate student Gorakala Indu (16) died after a coconut tree fell on him at Gopinadhapuram village of Vajrapukotturu mandal in Srikakulam district due to strong squally winds that were blown across the coastal belt in north-east corner of the state on Saturday morning. The state fisheries minister Seedari Appalaraju called on the family of the deceased and assured support from the government.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) director S. Stella said that storm Jawad moved northeast at a speed of six kmph towards Odisha coast. It is likely to weaken gradually and move near Puri by Sunday noon as a deep depression. Subsequently, it is likely to weaken further and continue to move north-northeast along the Odisha coast towards West Bengal coast.
