Cyclone threat along Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu coasts

The south Andhra and north Tamil Nadu coast is facing the threat of a cyclone later in the week with a cyclonic storm formation in the Bay of Bengal likely to intensify and hit the coast between Tamil Nadu and Andhra on Dec 30, the weather office said Tuesday.

The cyclonic formation named 'Thane' is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by the morning of Dec 30, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

An early morning bulletin of IMD said the cyclonic storm remained practically stationary and lay centred about 800 km east-southeast of Chennai.
The system is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.

Warning signal two has been hoisted at all ports on the Andhra coast and fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, said officials at the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre.

Under the impact of the cyclonic storm, high tidal waves damaged over 200 boats along the coast in the Visakhapatnam and West Godavari districts on Monday night. Officials said the waves washed away 50 boats.

The incursion of sea water on land was as much as 15 metres in some coastal villages. Sea conditions have turned rough along the Andhra coast and are likely to remain so over the next two to three days.

Under the influence of the cyclone system, rainfall is likely at most places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the next 24 hours. Rainfall is also likely to commence over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from Dec 28.

A wind speed of 45-55 kmph is likely to prevail along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the next 24 hours and such winds are likely to commence along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Dec 28 night onwards.