Cyclonic storm 'Jal' weakening as it crosses north TN, south AP coasts

Visakhapatnam, Nov 8 (ANI): The cyclonic storm 'Jal' has weakened as it crossed north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts close to north of Chennai.

The Cyclone Warning Centre says that it would further move in a west-northwestward direction and weaken gradually.

"The severe cyclone storm over south-west Bay of Bengal has weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay centered this morning. It may further weaken slightly and may cross south Andhra Pradesh- north Tamil Nadu coast between Chennai and Nellore this night," said A. Achutha Rao, Meteorologist, Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC).

The wind speeds can go upto 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph at the time of rainfall, said the meteorologist of CWC.

Thundershowers are likely to occur at most places with moderate to very heavy downpour.

As the storm is likely to trigger high tidal waves of several metres, people in vulnerable habitations in Nellore and Prakasam districts have been shifted to safer havens.

"The coast, especially south-coast of Andhra Pradesh will experience heavy to very heavy rainfalls during next 12 hours. Also, sea will be rough to very rough. Tidal wave will be around one meter high and because sea is rough fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea during next 24 hours," Rao added.

Heavy rainfall has battered many districts of the state since Monday, as the northeast monsoon gains momentum over India's southern coast.

The monsoon this year has been particularly heavy across India, causing floods in many areas leading to devastation of property worth hundreds of millions of rupees. (ANI)