Hyderabad, Dec 17 (UNI) The Severe Cyclonic Storm
‘PHETHAI’ over westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay
of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed
of 16 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at
0230 hrs on Monday over westcentral & adjoining
southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 14.5°N and
longitude 82.2°E, about 220 km south-southeast of
Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 270 km
south-southeast of Kakinada.
It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and
cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada
this afternoon.
However, due to unfavourable environmental
conditions, it is likely to weaken slightly before
landfall and cross coast as a 'cyclonic storm' with
a wind speed of 70-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph,
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a
bulletin.
Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy
falls at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh
and extremely heavy falls (≥ 20 cm) at isolated
places over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (East
& west Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur,
Vizianagaram & Srikakulam Districts) and Yanam
district of Puducherry.
Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to
70 kmph prevails along & off South Andhra Pradesh,
coasts. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming
gale wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph
along & off central Andhra Pradesh coast (East & West
Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur,
Vizianagaram and Srikakulam Districts and Yanam
district of Puducherry) today.
Gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80
kmph is likely to prevail along & off remaining parts of
Andhra Pradesh coast today.
The sea condition is very high over westcentral &
adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal around system
centre. The sea condition is very likely to be high to
very high over westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay
of Bengal till December 17.
It is very rough along & off south Andhra Pradesh Coast
and will become high along & off central Andhra Pradesh
coast and Yanam district of Puducherry till this evening,
the bulletin said.
Storm surge of height of about 0.5 m to 1.0 m above the
astronomical tides likely to inundate the low lying areas of
Coastal Andhra Pradesh (East & west Godavari,
Vishakhapatnam, Krishna and Guntur Districts)
and Yanam district of Puducherry at the time of landfall.
Damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and
communication lines due to breaking of branches.
Major damage to Kutcha and damage to Pucca roads.
Uprooting of small trees and some damage to paddy crops,
banana, papaya trees and orchards.
Sea water inundation in low lying areas after erosion of
Kutcha embankments.
The bulletin said there shoul be total suspension of fishing
operations along & off Andhra Pradesh coast on December 17.
Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to
the coasts, the bulletin added.
UNI CS 0850