Cyclone Phethai Makes Landfall in Andhra Pradesh, 2 Killed
Cyclone Phethai is likely to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, stated India Meteorological Department.
Rainfall, coupled with squally winds, lashed several parts of Odisha Tuesday under the impact of Cyclone Phethai that barrelled through coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in south Odisha and heavy rainfall in western region till Wednesday, 19 December, as the cyclonic storm weakened gradually.
After Titli and Gaja, this will be the third cyclone in less than two months to hit south India.
(Source: Windy.com)
- The cyclonic storm made landfall at Katrenikona in East Godavari district on Monday, 17 December
- The cyclone, located over Bay of Bengal, is moving northwestwards and is also expected to hit Odisha.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Cyclone Phethai Likely to Make Landfall on 17 December
The cyclonic storm is likely to make fall in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada on Monday. The IMD on Sunday, 16 December, said that Phethai is likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm in next 24 hours.
On Sunday morning, the storm lay centred about 560 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 600 km south-southeast of Kakinada.
High Alert in Andhra Pradesh
A high alert has been issued in Andhra Pradesh’s prior to cyclone Phethai’s landfall.
The Andhra Pradesh government has asked citizens to be alert and schools in East Godavari district will remain shut. According to IMD, Phethai was 270 km off the coast of Kakinada on Monday morning.
Kakinada Witnesses Rough Sea and Strong Winds
Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district witnessed rough sea and strong winds on Monday morning.
(Source: ANI)
High Alert in all Nine Coastal Districts
According to IMD, cyclone Phethai was 270 km off the coast of Kakinada on Monday morning and a high alert has been issued in all nine coastal districts.
The Met office has forecast rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Puducherry on Sunday and Monday.
(Source: The News Minute)
50 Trains Cancelled in Andhra Pradesh
The South Central Railway has cancelled over 50 trains in coastal Andhra Pradesh in view of severe cyclonic storm Phethai, which is set to hit the coast near Kakinada on Monday afternoon. Many trains from Vijayawada to various destinations in coastal Andhra were suspended as a precautionary measure.
(Source: The News Minute)
Phethai Likely to Weaken Before Landfall: IMD
The cyclone is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada on Monday afternoon. However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, stated IMD.
(Source: IMD)
Cyclone Phethai to Continue as a Severe Cyclonic Storm
The Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, told ANI that the storm is about 160 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 190 km south of Kakinada. The warning centre also said that although the storm had become weaker, it was still categorised as a severe cyclonic storm.
(Source: ANI)
Cyclone Phethai Makes Landfall at Katrenikona
The Cyclone Phethai has made landfall at Katrenikona, with heavy rains and winds reported in many areas of the East Godavari district.
There's heavy rainfall in the Konaseema region, the Real-Time Governance Society, Andhra Pradesh, said.
(Source: ANI)
More than 10,000 Response Team, Officers Stationed: Nara Lokesh
More than 10, 000 response teams and officials stationed as part of disaster preparedness, says Nara Lokesh, Minister, Andhra Pradesh.
(Source: ANI)
1 Killed in Landslide in Vijayawada
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, reported PTI.
Navy to Deploy Helicopters and Aircrats for Aerial Survey
Cyclone Phethai is expected to make landfall around the Kakinada coast this afternoon. Navy helicopters and aircraft will be flown to undertake an aerial survey for relief and rescue operations, CG Raju, PRO Eastern Naval Command, told ANI.
Trees Uprooted in Visakhapatnam District's Narsipatnam
Trees were uprooted in Visakhapatnam district's Narsipatnam after strong winds and rainfall hit the region. Roads are being cleared by the local administration. ANI reported.
List of Emergency Numbers
Emergency numbers compiled by The News Minute.
Restoration Work Underway in Andhra Pradesh Villages
Restoration work has been started in villages in Andhra Pradesh following Cyclone Phethai’s landfall. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (PR&RD) teams are clearing drains, roads and sideways in the villages affected by the cyclone. (Source: ANI)
PTI further reports that Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa is camping at Bhairavapalem village in East Godavari district to oversee relief and rescue operations.
20,000 People Evacuated, Sheltered in Relief Camps
East Godavari district bore the brunt of the storm as the cyclone made landfall near Katrenikona on Monday afternoon, 17 December, forcing evacuation of 20,000 people, who have been sheltered in relief camps.
Howling winds that gusted up to 85-90 kmph uprooted electric poles and trees in Katrenikona, Tallarevu and Malkipuram in East Godavari, disrupting power supply.
(Source: PTI)
14000 hectares of crops damaged, 300 sheep dead
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conducted a review meeting on Cyclone Phethai at the Real Time Governance center at the Secretariat on Monday, 17 December.
In the meeting, officials said 14000 hectares of crops were damaged and 300 sheep have died. The highest rainfall of 160 mm was recorded in Tallarevu. 379 electrical poles were damaged and 146 have been restored so far. 26000 metric tonnes of agricultural production have been damaged.
(Source: ANI)
Eastern Naval Command Dispatches Ships to Kakinada for Rescue Operation.
Eastern Naval Command dispatches Ships Jyoti and Shakti to Kakinada for Cyclone Rescue Operation.
INS Shakti along with a UH3H helicopter is being sailed out from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada.
(Source: ANI)
Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall in Parts of Odisha: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in south Odisha and heavy rainfall in western region till Wednesday, 19 December, as the cyclonic storm weakened gradually.
"The depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh moved in north-north-east direction and weakened into a well marked low pressure area and lay over north-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and Odisha Tuesday morning," Director of the Meteorological Centre here, H R Biswas said.
It is likely to weaken further into a low pressure area during the next 12 hours, he said.
(Source: PTI)
Missing Fishermen Reach Gullalamoda Island
Twelve fishermen, who were missing from the East Godavari Kakinada coast during Cyclone Phethai, reached the Gullalamoda island in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district on Tuesday evening.
The fishermen, belonging to East Godavari district, had gone missing on Monday. They have reached the island near the confluence of the Krishna river and the Bay of Bengal safely, the officials of the state fisheries department said.