The IMD in its latest release said that the cyclone is very likely to intensify further into a ‘Severe’ storm in the coming 06 hours. It is expected to cross the coast between Ongole and Kakinada on today.
Coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the cyclonic storm developing over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Sunday evening. Dubbed as Phethai, the cyclone is likely to hit Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada during 17th December afternoon, the latest IMD bulletin stated.
Anticipating the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on high alert along with the Coast Guard. Sixteen teams of Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response and Fire Services are on standby at Rajamahendravaram, while another nine (of five members each) have been positioned in West Godavari district for road clearance.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest press release said that the cyclone will be accompanied with wind speeds reaching 70-90 kmph gusting to 100kmph. The IMD has called for a total suspension of fishing operations along and off Andhra Pradesh coast on Sunday and Monday, advising fisherman to not venture into deep sea along and off Andra, north Tamilnadu and Puducherry coasts till 17th December.