Heavy rain over coastal AP, Odisha & WB under influence of cyclonic strom ROANU

The cyclonic storm ‘ROANU’ over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards and lay centred at about 160 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam and 70 km east-southeast of Kakinada. The system is likely to move northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by this morning. Moving northeastwards, the system is likely to cross south Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Cox’s Bazar tomorrow or early morning of Sunday as a cyclonic storm. The Met Department has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning to coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Odisha and coastal Gangetic West Bengal under the influence of the cyclonic storm coupled with gusty winds speeds reaching 90-100 kmph. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea as the condition along and off Andhra Pradesh, South Odisha and West Bengal coasts are very likely to be high to very high. In Andhra Pradesh the district administrations have been asked to see that people staying in low-lying areas are shifted to safer places. NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept in readiness and essential items like food, water, medicines and other material has been kept ready to meet any eventuality. The State experienced heavy to extremely heavy rain and thundershowers along with squally winds over several parts along the coast and Rayalaseema region yesterday. Coastal Andhra has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Thursday morning due to heavy gales followed by moderate rain, normal life was disrupted at several places. Local Warning Signals were kept hoisted in all major ports along the coast of Andhra Pradesh.