Cyclone Phethai, which is heading northward from the Bay of Bengal, made landfall around 12.30 am.
Phethai is the third cyclone that Andhra Pradesh is going to witness in a span of three months. (Photo: Indian Meteorological Department)
Cyclonic storm Phethai has made a landfall at Katrenikona in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district. Cyclone Phethai made the landfall at 35 km east-southeast of Narsapur and 75 km south-southwest of Kakinada at 12.30 pm.
Heavy rains and winds are being experienced in many areas in the district. The entire Konaseema region has received heavy rainfall. The state government has alerted people to be careful.
Andhra Pradesh: Trees were uprooted in Visakhapatnam district's Narsipatnam after strong winds and rainfall hit the region. Roads are being cleared by the local administration. #CyclonePhethai
One person was killed in a landslide caused by heavy rains in Vijayawada city but no other casualties have been reported from elsewhere so far, according to sources in the State Disaster Management Authority.
The process of crossing the coast is expected to end in the next two-three hours. Cyclone Phethai is expected to weaken to a deep depression by evening, to depression by mid/late night and low-pressure storm by tomorrow morning.
The cyclone is moving towards Visakhapatnam.
#WATCH: Rough sea and strong winds in Kakinada of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, #CyclonePhethai is expected to make a landfall this afternoon.
In Andhra Pradesh, 22 passenger trains have been cancelled, one train rescheduled and another partially cancelled in view of the rain due to Cyclone Phethai.
Phethai is the third cyclone that Andhra Pradesh has witnessed in a span of three months. Earlier Cyclone Titli and Gaja had also affected the coastal state.
HERE ARE SOME KEY UPDATES ON CYCLONE PHETHAI:
- A cyclone warning (Orange message) has been issued for Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry) coasts. The cyclonic storm is located over the Bay of Bengal.
- Heavy rainfall (more than 60 mm) has been reported at Injaram, Uppalaguptam, Aryavatam, Ninnimamidivalasa and Velagaleru stations in Andhra Pradesh.
- Cyclone Phethai is likely to trigger heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha by Monday. Heavy rain is likely over one or two places in the West Bengal districts of Howrah, East and West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, Jhargram, and Hooghly on Monday.
- Control rooms have been established by the Andhra Pradesh government at Machilipatnam (08672-252486), Guidwada (08674-243697), Nuzvid (08656-232717) and Vijayawada (0866-2574454).
- The Indian Railways has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that rail services are handled with utmost safety and convenience of rail passengers in view of the cyclone. Railway helpline control has been put into operation at Visakhapatnam railway station with helpline numbers 9121271340, 9121271447, 0866-2576924 and 1072.
- Indian Navy is on standby. The Eastern Naval Command(ENC) has deployed aircraft and ships to offer assistance to those stranded as well as warn fishermen to stay away from the sea. The ENC is also in close contact with state disaster management authorities to oversee the relief process.
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed state officials to take precautionary measures for the cyclone. He asked officials to ensure availability of water and food for people living on the coast.
- Damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to the breaking of branches expected once Cyclone Phethai makes landfall. Major damage to kuccha roads is also expected. The cyclone is also likely to result in uprooting of small trees and damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards. There may also be sea water inundation in low lying areas after the erosion of kuccha embankments.
- Farmers in the cyclone-affected region have been asked to harvest their paddy crops in advance to prevent damage. They have also been asked to collect the paddy stacks kept in the field for drying to a safe place and cover the paddy stacks. Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu has directed paddy purchasing centres to function 24 hours to help the farmers in the hour of crisis.
- A total suspension of fishing operations along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast on December 17 has been announced. Fishermen are advised not to venture along and off south Odisha coast. Those, who are out in deep sea areas have been advised to return to the coasts.
- Air traffic to the port city of Visakhapatnam has been hampered due to turbulent weather conditions, following which some flights were diverted to Hyderabad.
- A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in the coastal districts of the state as a precautionary measure.
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