Bhubaneswar/Andhra Pradesh: Cyclone Titli hit Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and left behind a trail of destruction. The states are trying to restore power supply and road links amid concerns over a possible flood situation.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi said the cyclone has "weakened into a deep depression", triggering continuous rainfall in the states.

Director of the meteorological centre at Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas, said heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue to pound parts of the state, including Balasore, Bhadrak and Dhenkanal districts, till Saturday.

Major rivers, the ones in south Odisha, are in spate and stretches of low-lying areas are flooded, he said. A severe cyclonic storm packing winds of up to 150 km and widespread rains had hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, killing eight people in Andhra Pradesh and one in Odisha. 

About 3 lakh people were evacuated from five coastal districts, a day before the cyclone made landfall. Water levels in rivers are rising. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea in view of adverse weather conditions, he added.

What is depression?
A low-pressure area, also known as depression, is a region on the topographic map where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence that occur in the upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as cyclogenesis. Diverging winds cause atmospheric lift within the troposphere below, which lowers surface pressures as upward motion partially counteracts the force of gravity. Low-pressure areas can also form due to organized thunderstorm activity over warm water. 

"We have been moving people to safe places at Chikiti, Dharakote, Patrapur and Sanakhemundi blocks of Ganjam district as river Rushikulya is in spate. Over 1,000 people were also shifted to relief camps in Gunupur area due to rise in water level in river Vansadhara," Mr Sethi said.

Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh witnessed massive damage. Gotta barrage on Vamshadara river and several other streams are in spate, said officials. The barrage is receiving an inflow of 1,71,371 cusecs and officials are working towards releasing water to maintain the levels. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authorities (APDSMA) have rushed to the flood-prone areas.

According to reports, uprooted trees are being cleared and food is being distributed to those living in low-lying areas.