Cyclone ‘Gaja’ alert issued in Andhra Pradesh

Cyclone Gaja is heading towards south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu, it has been reported. Expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the coming 24 hours, Gaja is expected to maintain its intensity for the subsequent one day before gradually weakening, it has been reported.

As per a bulletin by IMD (India Metrological Department), “The Cyclonic Storm ‘GAJA’ over west central and adjoining Eastcentral & Southeast Bay of Bengal moved south­ southwestwards with a speed of 08 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0830 hours IST of today, the 12th November, 2018 over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral & Southeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.1°N and longitude 87.0°E, about 730 km east­northeast of Chennai (Tamilnadu) and 820 km eastnortheast of Nagappattinam (Tamil Nadu).”

The bulletin further stated that under Gaja’s influence, heavy to very heavy rainfalls are expected to commence in coastal Andhra Pradesh from 14 November. Extremely heavy rainfall is also forecasted at isolated places likely over Tamil Nadu. “Heavy rain at isolated places over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Kerala on 15th November and heavy rain at a few places with very heavy rain at isolated places over interior Tamilnadu, Kerala on 16th November,” the bulletin further added.

With the sea expected to turn rough in the coming few days, the fishermen in the cyclone-prone areas have been warned from venturing into the Bay of Bengal until any further notice is issued.