Cyclone Vardah which is situated in the Bay of Bengal has moved further west-northwestwards, closer to the Andhra Coast. Now as the system is approaching the coast, it will start weakening gradually, Skymet Weather reported.
The report adds that the system will give start giving light rains over Coastal Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday, with the intensity increasing significantly by Sunday evening.
It was earlier reported that 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.
An 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 evening.
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.
Reports also added that Naidu, who was scheduled to leave for the UAE and Kuwait on Sunday, cancelled his trip to monitor the situation.
A control room has been set up at the Command and Communications Centre in Vijayawada with the helpline - 08662488000.
Krishna district officials have also set up a helpline - 08672252572 and 1077.
The Visakhapatnam emergency toll free number is 1800-425-0001.
IANS Inputs