KHULNA: Though cyclonic storm "Phailin", classified as "very severe", is heading for coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at wind speeds averaging 200 km per hour but panic gripped the people living along the coastal belt of the district.

They recalled their memories of severe storms as Sidr, Aila, Reshmi, Bijli and Nargis which they had experienced earlier.

The coastal area people got panicked as the unwanted guest approaches Odisha and Andra Prodesh of India.

Experts say the wind speed is at 200 to 210 km per hour and is expected to touch 230 km per hour when the cyclone hits the coasts of Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.

Met officer says that the cyclone may touch or cross Khulna coastal area soon and Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal number two.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin said that they held several district and upazila level meetings to take preparation to prevent this unwanted calamity in the area. Administration took all sports measures as coastal people do not face any new damage.

Indian government dispatched 600 National Disaster Response Force or NDRF personnel in its two states.

Indian Air Force assets in Nashik, Ranchi, Bangalore, Nagpur and Barrackpore are on standby; more than 20 planes and choppers have been deployed.

A 30-member divers` team of the Indian Navy is ready; its ships will be deployed after the cyclone landfall. Five Army columns have been sent to Bhubaneswar from Ranchi.

BDST: 1251 HRS, OCT 12, 2013
MRM/ AIA/RS/BSK-eic@banglanews24.com