Cyclonic storm off Machilipatnam

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 16. The deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm and lay 500 km southeast off Machilipatnam this evening after moving down from Visakhapatnam side, while a wary State Government kept all the nine coastal districts on alert for the second day.

The weather was dry in the coastal belt and in Telangana region while Rayalaseema experienced isolated rain, all below 1 cm. Mr. C.V.V. Bhadram, Director, Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, said the impact of the cyclone, if any, might be seen after at least one day.

According to warnings received from the Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi, the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, and the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, the cyclonic storm was likely to intensify further and develop into a ``severe cyclonic storm'' and move in a north-westerly direction. Under its influence, the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna might be battered by ``heavy to very heavy rain.''

The ultimate target on the coast and the point of crossing could not be ascertained as the phenomenon was beyond the reach of the radar. The exact path can be indicated only if it comes within about 450-km range. On Sunday, it was predicted that the depression was likely to move in a north-westerly direction but it deviated from this and moved downwards taking a kink. For the first time, the IMD, Delhi, involved itself directly in the process of preparing the State to face the threat by flashing messages.

The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, reviewed the situation with officials and at a Cabinet meeting, and asked the Collectors to be on alert.

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