A 24-hour pre-cyclone watch warning has been issued to north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad and the APSDMA (Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority).
The warning said that a deep depression is expected to occur over east central Bay of Bengal which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.
The IMD stated that light to moderate and heavy rains or thunder showers were likely to occur in north coastal districts such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakhapatnam.
The latest bulletin from APSDMA says that based on IMD INSAT 3D satellite imageries and DWR observations, light to moderate rain may occur at isolated places over Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Vishakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Very light to light rain may occur at isolated places over remaining parts of Andhra Pradesh.
It is also predicted that Rayalaseema would see a similar pattern of rains across certain isolated places.
The APSDMA has warned fishermen not to venture into the deep sea areas of central Bay of Bengal on October 9 and 10 and in northern Bay of Bengal between October 9 – October 11.
An early morning bulletin on Tuesday said that the deep depression over east central Bay of Bengal has moved further westnorthwards with a speed about 11 kmph in the last three hours. It is also observed that the sea condition will be rough to very rough over the north Andaman sea and south east and adjourning east central Bay of Bengal.
Speaking to TNM, Dr Nagaratna, Scientist at IMD Hyderabad, said, “The cyclone is very likely to move west northwards for some time and then towards south Odisha by tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. By October 11, it is predicted that it will cross the coastal areas between Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Puri, close to Gopalpur in Odisha.”
The APSDMA has alerted the concerned district authorities and asked them to take up necessary measures in view of the ‘Pre-cyclonic watch’ warning.
Neighbouring Odisha is also reportedly on alert in view of the same weather warning.