Coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert as a deep depression developing over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm. Dubbed as Phethai, the cyclone is headed towards the coastal areas of Machilipatnam in Andhra and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Anticipating the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on high alert along with the Coast Guard. The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Ongole and Kakinada on Monday, causing heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region. The IMD has called for a total suspension of fishing operations along and off Andhra Pradesh coast on Sunday and Monday, advising fisherman to not venture into deep sea.

Source: Indian Express December 16, 2018 03:38 UTC