Connect with us
Wednesday,21-October-2026
Breaking News

General

Coastal Andhra on alert as cyclone ‘Gulab’ set to make landfall

Published

on

Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts were on alert on Sunday as cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’ in Bay of Bengal is likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts.

Authorities in north coastal Andhra districts were alerted to be prepared as the region is likely to experience heavy rains under the impact of the cyclone which is expected to make a landfall between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur on Sunday evening.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued cyclone warning for north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.

According to the IMD, ‘Gulab’ lay centred over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal about 270 km east-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 330 km east of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).

It is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur around evening of 26th September, the IMD said.

Cyclone Warning Centre Visakhapatnam warned that tidal wave of about 0.5 m height above the astronomical tide likely to inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Ganjam districts during the time of landfall.

The cyclonic storm is likely to trigger heavy rains at one or two places over Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts over the next 24 hours. The IMD has issued red warning for these districts.

Heavy to very heavy fall at a few places very likely over East Godavari, West Godavari districts and Yanam. Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, the IMD bulletin said.

Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast.

It will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from afternoon of September 26 till midnight along and off north Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts).

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail over remaining districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh.

As sea condition will be rough to very rough, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the rough waters till Monday.

Tidal wave of about 0.5 m height above the astronomical tide likely to inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Ganjam districts during the time of landfall.

Local cautionary signal- III was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Kakinada ports. Distant Warning Signal – II was hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam ports.

Strong winds and very Heavy/extremely heavy rainfall are likely to damage thatched huts, cause minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and uprooting of trees, major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to pucca roads, some damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards, sea water inundation in low lying areas after erosion of Kutcha embankments, localized Flooding of roads, inundation and water logging in low lying areas and closure of underpasses mainly in urban areas of the region.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting on the preparedness in wake of cyclone alert and directed the officials to take all necessary steps.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that they have alerted district collectors and suggested to take all necessary steps.

They said control rooms were setup village secretariat wise and added that they have readied disaster management staff in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts.

The district collectors are taking steps to setup relief camps at required locations, the officials said.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to be alert and take necessary steps as there are chances of heavy rains after cyclonic storm crosses the coast.

Maharashtra

Woman arrested for extorting ₹4 crore by blackmailing victims with obscene videos

Published

on

Mumbai: A woman has been arrested by a team from Crime Branch Unit 7 in connection with an extortion case. The accused allegedly extorted approximately 40 million rupees (4 crore rupees) from a resident of Ghatkopar by threatening to defame her using an obscene video and threatening her with death. She was also demanding further payments.
The complainant works as a manager at a jewelry store. Between December 2024 and January 2025, an acquaintance—a woman—engaged the complainant in an obscene video chat via WhatsApp. The accused then threatened to circulate this footage to the police, the courts, and the CBI, claiming that the complainant would be summoned for investigation. Fearing public disgrace, the complainant paid a total of 40 million rupees to the accused. The woman continued to demand more money and threatened that if further payments were not made, she would break the complainant’s limbs and kill her. Taking into account the gravity of the matter, Crime Branch Unit 7 (Ghatkopar, Mumbai) laid a trap for the woman who had been demanding extortion money. On October 19, she was caught red-handed at RK Restaurant, LBS Road, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai, while accepting a sum of 5 lakh rupees from the complainant. Following the complainant’s report, a case was registered at the Ghatkopar Police Station under Sections 308(2) and 308(7) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Crime Branch has taken over the investigation, and the woman has been arrested; further inquiries are being conducted by Unit 7, Ghatkopar.
This operation was carried out by a team comprising Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishnakant Upadhyay, and DCP Nanath, along with the personnel of Unit 7.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Major crackdown by Mumbai Crime Branch, 2 kg heroin worth ₹10 crore seized, three accused arrested.

Published

on

The Mumbai Crime Branch has intensified its operations against drug peddlers, and in the process, the police have reported the arrest of a drug smuggler.

A case has been registered at the Borivali Police Station under Sections 8(c), 21(c), and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.

On October 14, the Crime Branch conducted a raid in Borivali West. So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with this case. The seized items include: 1) 2,032 grams of heroin, valued at 10,16,00,000 rupees; and 2) three mobile phones, valued at 30,000 rupees. Acting on the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, the Mumbai Crime Branch has launched a special campaign to identify and take strict action against individuals involved in the smuggling, purchase, and sale of narcotics across Mumbai. During the aforementioned operation, acting on secret information, a police team conducted a swift and effective raid in Kandivali (West), Mumbai, on October 14. They seized 758 grams of heroin—estimated to be worth 37,900,000 rupees—from the possession of two individuals.

Subsequently, on October 17, based on information obtained during the interrogation of the arrested suspects, the police carried out another prompt and effective operation, seizing 1,274 grams of heroin—valued at approximately 63,700,000 rupees—from a third suspect. In total, 2,032 grams of heroin, with an estimated value of 101,600,000 rupees, have been seized from the three suspects.

A case has been registered under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985 (at the Borivali Police Station), as the suspects were found to be in possession of and smuggling heroin. The suspects are believed to be part of an inter-state drug trafficking syndicate. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for supplying, buying, and selling the narcotics.

This successful operation was carried out by the Kandivali unit under the supervision of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishnakant Upadhyay, and DCP Nanath Dhole.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Bollywood in the Crosshairs After Firing at Tiger Shroff; Legal Action Initiated Against Bishnoi Gang, Three Shooters Arrested

Published

on

Mumbai: The Crime Branch has claimed to have solved the case involving a shooting incident targeting Tiger Shroff in the Juhu area of ​​Mumbai. Addressing a press conference, Mumbai Crime Branch DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle carried out the shooting. The Crime Branch received information that, following the incident, the shooters abandoned their Pulsar motorcycle at Andheri station and traveled by train toward Kota. The Crime Branch alerted the Kota police, who subsequently arrested three suspects. The police have now taken all three individuals into custody. Additionally, Anil Pandit had circulated a post online referencing the ‘Bishnoi gang,’ a matter that is currently under police investigation. Regarding the targeting of Bollywood figures by the Bishnoi gang, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan noted that action has been taken against the group—including in the earlier case involving the shooting incident at Salman Khan’s residence. In the current case, the Crime Branch has registered a case under charges of attempted murder and the Arms Act. Legal proceedings are also underway concerning the Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi gang, with efforts being made to secure the custody of Lawrence Bishnoi. The DCP explained that comprehensive information was provided to the Kota police, as Crime Branch teams had been actively pursuing the shooters. To date, no weapons have been recovered from the suspects. Authorities are currently verifying a post circulating on social media to determine whether it originated from the Bishnoi gang, and action is being taken against those involved. The suspects spent 10 to 15 minutes surveying the scene before carrying out the shooting. One of the suspects, 22-year-old Ritik (alias Roshan), has completed his education up to the 12th grade. None of the three suspects are minors; therefore, they will all be held in custody for further interrogation. Five rounds were fired. Prior to this incident, no complaints regarding threats against Tiger Shroff had been received; the police are investigating every aspect of the case and have already begun questioning the three suspects while they remain in custody. The three individuals—Ritik (alias Roshan), Rehan Rashiduddin, and Paul Singh—have been arrested. Rehan, who previously worked as a ‘Rapido’ (ride-hailing) driver in Mumbai, eventually became a shooter. The suspects were apprehended from the general compartment of a train; they were attempting to flee toward Delhi and Nepal. DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that, in light of their involvement in past shooting incidents and their ties to the Bishnoi gang, the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) has been invoked against these shooters.

Continue Reading

Trending