A number of enthusiastic youngsters flocked to the coastal areas on Thursday to have a first-hand experience of Titli.

A number of college students from Berhampur and its nearby places reached the Gopalpur beach to witness the raging sea during the cyclone. Also, a number of people from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were seen gathering going on driving trips to Puri.

However, they couldn’t stay for long near the beach as the police kept evacuating the crowd.

“Although we could not stay on the beach, the sea looked very harsh. We left the city around 11am and came back by 5pm. The drive was really beautiful,” said Pabani Sahu, a youngster from here who traveled to Puri in a car along with his friends.

Youngsters reach Gopalpur beach to witness the raging sea during the cyclone. Telegraph picture

The youths went to other safer zones such as hotels and restaurants with the police restricting entry to the beach. A few also visited the camps where the evacuated people were sheltered.

Another group of students from Utkal University went on a biking trip to Puri. “We felt nothing much here and we also saw the news that situation was under control in the coastal areas. So, we did not want to miss the chance,” said Subrat Nayak, a student.He went with his group of six friends on three motorcycles. A group also did a small video of the journey and uploaded it on YouTube.

But for the tourists stuck in Puri, it was nothing less than a nightmare. “We have come from New Delhi and cyclones are very rare in our part of the country. We got really worried. But the local people and hotel staff were very helpful and co-operative,” said Sweta Sabherwal, who has come to Puri with her family.

“But the administration was very alert and there were police personnel everywhere that gave us confidence,” she added. It was also an opportunity for the shutterbugs to capture nature in different hues.