Andhra Pradesh on alert as Cylone Kyant nears, to spare Odisha
Cyclone Kyant in Bay of Bengal is gradually moving closer to the Indian coast. With this, Andhra Pradesh has been put on alert, while the cyclonic storm is likely to spare Odisha.
According to Skymet Weather, the system is expected to make landfall over Andhra coast, somewhere between Ongole and Nellore.
The system is presently moving in west-southwest direction in east-central Bay of Bengal and lies about 530 km east-southeast of Gopalpur, 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 850 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam.
As the system approaches, we can expect squally winds of speed 45-55 kmph gusting up to 65 kmph along the coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts from Thursday.
Sea conditions have also become rough and authorities have advised fishermen from venturing out in the sea along and off the coast for the next 2-3 days.
On Friday, we can expect heavy to very heavy showers over parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Intensity of winds will also increase by this time, wherein damaging winds can be seen gusting up to 80 kmph.
However, system will not have any major impact in Odisha but light to moderate rains cannot be ruled out. But still to avoid any untoward incident, Odisha government has kept National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) on alert with rescue and evacuation plans ready.
Authorities have also issued an advisory to farmers for protecting their standing crops.
Let us have a look at the possible track of Cyclone Kyant during the coming days.
The deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm Kyant on Tuesday morning. It is the first cyclone of the season to develop in Indian sea of Bay of Bengal.
The journey is not likely to end here as the cyclone will gain more strength in the span of next 48 to 72 hours. According to Skymet Weather, the system is likely to enter into more favourable environment of warmer sea surface temperatures. Moreover, vertical wind shear will also be low which would allow the gradual intensification of the system.
However, weather models are indicating that system which was earlier tracking towards Myanmar, will now only skirt its coast and finally head towards Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast.
At present, Kyant is moving in west-northwest direction. Gradually, it will start shifting westwards and then re-curve west-southwestwards by late Wednesday or early Thursday.
As a result, rains will start over several parts of Gangetic West Bengal including Kolkata and Coastal Odisha on Thursday. We can expect mainly moderate showers with one or two heavy spells as well.
By October 28, rain belt will cover many parts of Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh as the possible cyclone will move further southwestwards.
Meteorologists predict fairly widespread moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers to lash parts of coastal areas of South Odisha and adjoining North Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Isolated spells of very heavy rains also cannot be ruled out during this time period. This will also be accompanied with high velocity winds gusting from 70-80 kmph.
Places to remain on high risk would be Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Gopalpur, and East Godavari. Due to the storm surge, low lying areas may witness flood like conditions.
Sea conditions will also be rough and fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off the coast.
Image credit: News18.com
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