With cyclonic storm 'Phethai' all set to hit Andhra Pradesh coast on Monday afternoon, the state has cancelled 22 passenger trains, rescheduled one and partially cancelled another for the day.
The IMD, however, added that cyclone Phethai would weaken before landfall. "It's very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Andhra coast around Kakinada during December 17, afternoon. However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken before landfall and cross the coast as a cyclonic storm," the IMD said. Cyclone Phethai is expected to carry winds with a speed of 45-55 kmph, local media reported.
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The Andhra Pradesh government has put coastal districts of Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam on a high alert over Cyclone Phethai. A two-day holiday has been declared for schools from Monday.
"Yesterday's severe cyclonic storm weakened slightly, but is continuing as severe cyclonic storm. It's about 160 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 190 km south of Kakinada, likely to move in northerly direction and cross Kakinada by this afternoon," the cyclone warning centre at Vizag also said on Monday. On Sunday, it was reported that the cyclonic storm, which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, would move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during Monday afternoon.
Rough sea and strong winds were witnessed in Kakinada of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh earlier in the day as cyclone Phethai intensified on its course to Andhra coast. "Cyclone Phethai over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved northwards in the past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of December 17 over west central Bay of Bengal, 320 km east-northeast of Chennai, 160 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 190 km south of Kakinada," an IMD release stated.
