Andhra Pradesh most likely to be spared by cyclone, but rains in store

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh may well be spared by the “cyclone Dana” brewing in the Bay of Bengal as the weather system is expected to skirt the AP coast and move over to north Odisha and West Bengal coasts. The relief came after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the severe cyclone Dana is expected to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island on the intervening night of Oct 24 and Oct 25 at a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

However, many parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP) will receive light to moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall at isolated places of NCAP on Oct 24 (Thursday). Similarly, many parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, ASR and Manyam districts will receive moderate rains and few parts of the districts will experience heavy rainfall on Oct 25 (Friday).Squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast from Oct 23 to 25.

The IMD said the low-pressure area (LPA) over the east central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea moved west-northwestwards and lay as a well-marked low pressure area over east central Bay of Bengal on Monday (Oct 21). It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by Oct 22 (Tuesday) and into a cyclonic storm by Oct 23 (Wednesday) over east central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by Oct 24.

Speaking to TOI, S Karunasagar, scientist at IMD-Amaravati said the first major post-monsoon cyclone is brewing in the Bay of Bengal. The system is most likely to leave no major impact on AP coast as it is heading towards Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Few parts of the north coastal Andhra Pradesh may experience heavy rains on Oct 24 and 25, he added.

The weather agency said fishermen are advised to return to shore by October 21 due to the storm's potential impacts. The cyclones developing over Bay of Bengal more often strike Odisha-West Bengal coast in October, Andhra Pradesh coast in November and December and the Tamil Nadu coast in December.

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