Cyclone Phethai updates:1 killed in Andhra as storm makes landfall; Trees, electric poles uprooted
Amaravati, Dec 17: One person has been killed as Cyclone Phethai finally made landfall on Monday over Andhra Pradesh coast, between Kakinada and Narsapur. Along with this, squally winds to the tune of 70 kmph to 90 kmph have been blowing all along the coast. Heavy to very heavy rains along with few spells of extremely heavy rains can be expected over parts of Andhra Pradesh during the next 12 hours.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on high alert along with the Coast Guard. Sixteen teams of Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response and Fire Services are on standby at Rajamahendravaram.
The IMD has called for a total suspension of fishing operations along and off Andhra Pradesh coast on Sunday and Monday, advising fisherman to not venture into deep sea along and off Andra, north Tamilnadu and Puducherry coasts till 17th December.
#CyclonePhethai: What you should before, during and after a cyclone? pic.twitter.com/b4YKCexJj9
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 17, 2018
Andhra Pradesh: Trees were uprooted in Visakhapatnam district's Narsipatnam after strong winds and rainfall hit the region. Roads are being cleared by the local administration. #CyclonePhethai pic.twitter.com/PRssp7R1Rr
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018
Cyclone warning centre, Vizag: Y'day's severe cyclonic storm weakened slightly but continuing as severe cyclonic storm. It's about 160 km southeast of Machilipatnam&190 km south of Kakinada, likely to move in northerly direction&cross Kakinada by this afternoon. #CyclonePhethai pic.twitter.com/6BYHg5ECFx
— ANI (@ANI) 17 December 2018
Rainfall at most places will be heavy, very heavy at few places and extremely heavy at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Pondicherry on Monday. After cyclones Daye and Titli this year, the threat of Phethai looms large over Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the Collectors of coastal districts to take all precaution to prevent loss of lives. According to Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, 'Phethai' will intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the next few hours and weaken slightly before making a landfall on Monday afternoon.
The Cyclone Warning Centre has warned storm surge of up to one metre could inundate the low lying areas of Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Puducherry at the time of landfall.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea.