NASA posts ‘Hudhud ‘warning

Hyderabad: NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Tropical Cyclone’ Hudhud’ on Friday and took a picture of the storm that showed it was still somewhat elongated, but more organised than the previous day. Another NASA satellite provided the hint of a developing eye. Warnings for winds, rain and surf are already in effect for the northern Andhra Pradesh coast and south Odisha coastline of eastern India as ‘Hudhud’ approaches.

Tropical Cyclone ‘Hudhud’ formed on October 8 and began moving from east to west across the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean.

NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission satellite provided a microwave look at ‘Hudhud’ and saw a ragged microwave eye at 05.56 GMT (1:56 am EDT) on October 9, indicating the storm was getting stronger and more organised.

At 0900 UTC (5 am GMT), Hudhud's maximum sustained winds were near 60 knots (69 moh/111 kph). Hudhud's center was located near 13.9 longitude and 88.4 east latitude, about 534 nautical miles (614 miles/989 km) south of Kolkata. ‘Hudhud’ is moving to the west-north-westward at 6 knots (6.9 mph/11.1 kph). It is expected to reach typhoon strength before making landfall in east central India.

According to the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones over the North Indian Ocean or RSMC, ‘Hudhud’ is forecast to cross North Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by Sunday afternoon.