Kakinada sources stated that the cyclonic storm ‘PHETHAI’ is moving further north-northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during past 06 hours and is lay centered at 410 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamilnadu), 530 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 560 km south-southeast Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). Meanwhile it is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada by 17 December afternoon. Rains have started lashing places in East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts.
Furthermore due to unfavorable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken slightly before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm. Reportedly MET department officials have informed the government that the cyclone could likely damage places in East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Prakasam, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam and low lying areas near the sea are likely to get inundated. District officials are taking measures for rescuing people and animals.
Moreover permanent and temporary shelters have been kept ready for shifting the people evacuated from the low lying areas in coastal villages. NDRF, SDRF, fire service personnel, Navy, Coast Guard are all on standby and the fisherman has been warned not to venture out in the seas.
