Odisha steps up cyclone preparedness as very severe storm threatens Andhra coast

Bhubaneswar, Oct 25 (UNI) Odisha has stepped up cyclone preparedness in five southern districts as a very severe cyclonic storm brewing over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28, packing winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the deep depression over the east central Bay of Bengal intensified on Sunday and is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm by October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by October 27 and a very severe cyclonic storm before landfall. The system is likely…