Andhra Pradesh on alert as cyclone ‘Kyant’ nears coast
VISAKHAPATNAM: The cyclonic storm Kyant formed over the Bay of Bengal which is approaching towards the North Andhra Pradesh coast is likely to make a landfall in the coastal Andhra Pradesh and the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha may experience a wet Diwali, the Cyclonic Warning Centre (CWC) officials in Vizag said on Wednesday.
The cyclone which is intensifying over coastal AP is likely to bring squalling winds and moderate rainfall in the next 24 hours.
The cyclonic effect may continue for two to three days, the CWC officials said. “Kyant which was over the east-central Bay of Bengal has moved further west-southwest wards and is lay centred over central Bay of Bengal 480 km off south-east of Gopalpur coast, 570 km east south east off Visakhapatnam coast and 780km east north east of Machilipatnam,” IMD official said, adding that the system is very likely to slightly intensify during the next 24 hours.
“It is most likely to move west south west wards towards west central Bay of Bengal during the next 72 hours. The system is expected to make a landfall over coastal Andhra, resulting in squalling winds and moderate rain along the coastal stretch from Thursday and possibly it will continue till October 29,” said the CWC duty officer on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the district administrations of the coastal AP have intensified their preparedness for any emergency.
With the sea conditions remaining rough on Wednesday, the fishermen have been instructed against venturing out in the sea for the next three days. The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has issued alerts for high degree of readiness. The developments are being monitored closely and the authorities are in constant communication with the state administration to augment the rescue and relief operations.
“Four Indian Naval Ships equipped with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material have been kept on the stand-by to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR) operations, evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid in emergency. Six aircraft are ready at the Naval Air Station INS Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded,” a press note released by the ENC said.