Bhubaneshwar, Oct. 12  : Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at around 6 pm on Saturday.

High wind and heavy rain lashed the coastal belt of Odisha today disrupting normal life.

Phailin, which has been put in the category of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is expected to touch 230 kilometer per hour, when it hits the two states.

According to reports, the India Meteorological Department issued a bulletin early morning on Saturday, which said the cyclonic storm is located at about 355 km southwest of Paradip and 320 km southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha, and at about 315 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Nearly 3 lakh people have been evacuated in Odisha, and atleast 65,000 people evacuated in Andhra Pradesh by rescue and relief teams.

Earlier on Friday, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General Krishna Chaudhary on Friday said that twenty-three NDRF teams have been deputed in Odisha, and eleven in Andhra Pradesh at locations identified by the state government.

Authorities in the two states have warned of extensive damage to crops, village dwellings and old buildings, as well as disruption of power, water and rail services. Shelters were being stocked with rations, and leave for government employees for Dussehra have been cancelled. (ANI)