‘Severe’ cyclone headed to Andhra Pradesh; IMD issues extremely heavy rain alert for next week

The IMD stated that the cyclone will cross Andhra Pradesh, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada, on the evening or night of October 28, with wind speeds expected to reach 90-100 km/hr, gusting to 110 km/hr.

Light to moderate intensity rainfall has already commenced over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and is likely to continue through the next five-six days. Along with these regions, Rayalaseema will receive extreme heavy rainfall (over 210mm in 24 hours) on October 27 and 28, the IMD has warned.

Andhra Pradesh is prone to cyclonic storms, especially in October. Since 2006, cyclones that crossed Andhra Pradesh include the ‘very severe’ Titli (crossed near Palasa, Srikakulam on October 11, 2018), Kyant (weakened off Andhra Pradesh in October 2016), Hudhud (crossed over Visakhapatnam on October 12, 2014) and cyclone Ogni (crossed between Ongole and Machilipatam on October 30, 2006).

On Saturday morning, the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal had moved westwards and was located about 440 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 970 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 970 km east-southeast of Chennai, 990 km southeast of Kakinada, and 1,040 km south-southeast of Gopalpur.

Sea conditions along India’s east coast are expected to be rough over the next few days, the IMD said. Winds with speeds ranging between 70-80 km/hr gusting to 90 km/hr will cross west central Bay of Bengal till October 29. The fishermen community has been advised not to venture into the sea after October 26, especially along southeast Bay of Bengal.