The cyclonic storm Vardah, which has caused heavy rains over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours.
Barely a week ago, cyclone Nada had hit Nagapattinam in coastal Tamil Nadu. like Nada, Vardah, too, has developed in the Southeast Bay of Bengal and moved in the northwest direction.
Meanwhile 1,900 tourists have been evacuated from the area since Thursday. According to weather scientists from India Meteorological Department (IMD), the conditions of sea are favourable for its further intensification. They have predicted that the storm will gather strength and sustain itself at least till Monday.
The system is expected to head towards coastal Andhra Pradesh — in the process raising strong gusts of wind that may even touch a speed of 130 kmph. During the late morning hours or by afternoon of Monday, it is expected to cross the Coast between Kakinada and Nellore. During the landfall, the system is expected to weaken slightly.
The country’s private forecaster Skymet has warned of isolated heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh besides moderate to light rainfall at many places from Sunday evening onward.
Putting up a wind warning, the IMD stated that squally winds speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph would prevail over Andaman and Nicobar Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 12 hours. Henceforth, wind speed from 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from the Sunday. During this period the sea would be rough along and off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh.
The fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Andaman Islands and adjoining sea during next 12 hrs. Further, they have been asked to stay away from the sea by the Andhra coast from Saturday onwards. Those who are out in the sea have been advised to return to the coast. The cyclone is however expected to subside considerably by Tuesday.