Cyclone Alert for Andhra Pradesh Coast

According to the release, the storm lay centred at 0530 hrs IST on Friday over southeast Bay of Bengal near Latitude 12.1ºN and Longitude 90.4ºE, 250 km west-northwest of Port Blair.

At the same time, it lay about 990 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 1,090 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam.

The system is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours.

It is very likely to move initially northwestwards, then west-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Kakinada around afternoon/evening of Monday, Dec 12.

However, there is possibility of slight weakening of the system before landfall, the Ministry said.

The ministry has also issued several warnings.

Light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy falls over coastal Andhra Pradesh is very likely to commence from Sunday evening.

Squally winds with speed reaching 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph would prevail over Andaman and Nicobar Islands & adjoining sea areas during the next 12 hrs and gradually decrease thereafter.

Squally winds with speed reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from Sunday night.

Sea condition would be moderate to rough along and off Andaman and Nicobar Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 12 hrs.

Sea condition would be also be rough to very rough along and off Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from Sunday night.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Andaman Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 12 hrs.

Fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh coast have also been advised not to venture into sea from Sunday. The fishermen out at sea have been advised to return to the coast by Saturday.

According to a separate media report on Friday, the Indian Air Force has evacuated 21 tourists from Haavelock island in Andaman & Nicobar., which is also facing severe storm and rains.