The severe cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ over southeast Bay of Bengal lay centred over southeast Bay of Bengal about 1,050 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 980 km southeast of Kalingapatnam on Monday evening.
The system would intensify further gradually into a very severe cyclonic storm and move west-northwest wards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada around November 28 noon, according to the Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre K. Ramachandra Rao.
Under its influence moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to commence from November 27 afternoon over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The intensity of rainfall would gradually increase at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh from November 28.
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Squally winds from a north easterly direction with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph are likely along and off Andhra Pradesh Coast. It would increase in intensity with gale wind speed ranging between 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph along and off coastal districts of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.
Sea condition along and off Andhra Pradesh will be rough to very rough from November 27 evening and will become rougher next day along and off North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Extensive damage to kutcha houses, breaking of tree branches, damages to power and communication lines, disruption of rail and road traffic, potential threat from flying debris, flooding of escape routes and extensive damage to crops is predicted.
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Fishermen have been advised to be cautious and fishermen out at sea along and off Andhra Coast are advised to return the coast immediately.
Distant warning signal number II kept hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam ports and distant warning signal number II with section signal number V and III has been hoisted at Kakinada and Gangavaram ports.