Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' to cross Andhra coast on Monday

The storm lay centered about 990 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 1,090 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam.

Visakhapatnam, Dec 10: The 'Vardah' cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over next the 12 hours, the met office said Saturday.

The storm lay centered about 990 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 1,090 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam.

"It is very likely to move nearly Northwest ward then west northwest wards and cross Andhra Pradesh Coast between Nellore and Kakinada around afternoon/evening of December 12 (Monday)," the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin.

It added that there is possibility of slight weakening of the system before landfall.

Under the influence of this system, rainfall is very likely to occur at many places over coastal Andhra Pradesh with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts on Sunday.

The met office has forecast rainfall at most places over coastal Andhra Pradesh with heavy to very heavy rain at few places in all the districts of coastal Andhra except Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts on Monday.

The IMD bulletin said squally winds speed reaching 45 to 50 gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh from Saturday.

As the sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Andhra coast, fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea. Those already out at sea were advised to return.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in a teleconference with the officials. He asked the collectors of all coastal districts to be on alert and take all precautionary measures.

He asked officials to ensure sufficient stocks of essential commodities for undertaking relief operations.

IANS