Bhubaneswar: The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘PHETHAI’ over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved further northwards with a speed of 24 kmph during past 06 hours, weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay-centered over westcentral Bay of Bengal near north-northeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 120 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 130 km south of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh).
It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada during 17th December afternoon. However, due to unfavorable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken further before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-90kmph gusting to 100kmph.
Light to moderate rain/thundershower likely to occur at many places over districts of North Odisha and at a few places over districts of South Odisha.
Isolated heavy to heavy rainfall very likely to occur over districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Gajapati.
Isolated heavy rainfall likely to occur over districts of Ganjam, Puri, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Bargarh, Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Keonjhar on December 18 and might continue till December 19.
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40kmph gusting to 50kmph likely along & off South Odisha coast during next 24 hours. The fishermen are advised not to venture along & off South Odisha coast and into deep sea areas in westcentral & southwest Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours.
PNN
