Storm threat to coastal districts

By Our Special Correspondent

HYERABAD, OCT 15 Coastal districts of the State came under threat of a cyclone on Monday when the well-marked low pressure area in the west-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression and lay off the Nellore coast.

According to a bulletin issued by the State Met Office here, the depression, located about 350 km east-southeast from Nellore, was likely into intensify further and move in a north-westerly direction and cross the coast between Ongole and Pondicherry by tomorrow noon. A heavy rainfall warning, valid for Tuesday- Wednesday, has been issued to the entire region of Rayalaseema and the districts of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and krishna.

The Met Office Director, Mr C. V. V. Bhadram, said under the influence of the weather system, winds with speed reaching 65 to 75 km per hour were likely to commence from tonight along and off the South Andhra Coast.

The Government has put six districts -- Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Guntur and Krishna -- on alert with the necessary arrangements. The Commissioner for Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr D. C. Rosaiah, said the control room at the Secretariat, as also those existing in the districts, had been activated. The Collectors of these districts were asked to maintain constant vigil on the system and keep the Government informed about their needs in case of any evacuation.

Meanwhile, there was rain in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema while the weather remained mainly dry in Telangana. Narsapur, Nellore, Pamidi, Nalgonda and Tadipatri recorded a rainfall of 2 cm each.

The general forecast issued for the rest of the State valid for Tuesday was that moderate to rather heavy rain is likely at most places. Light to moderate rain is likely at many places in the rest of Coastal Andhra and isolated rain in Telangana.

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Section  : Southern States
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