Deep depression over West central Bay of Bengal, which was formed after the Cyclone Lehar has weakened and is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam by Thursday afternoon. Report of Indian Meteorological authorities at 11 a.m confirms that the deep depression is east/south-east of Machilipatnam.
However, the squally wind speed, which was around 160 kmph on Wednesday, is reaching only 50 kmph to 70 kmph and will continue in the same state for the next 12 hours. All the coastal areas in Krishna district have been receiving normal rainfall since early hours of Thursday even as Severe Cyclone Lehar weakened into a deep depression.
The wind speeds and rainfall is normal. Sounding alert over the prevailing weather conditions, authorities in the Krishna Krishna district have restricted the entry of visitors to the beaches and the coast. “All the fishing operations have been brought to a standstill. "We will not allow the fishermen into sea for next 24 hours,” say officials.
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People who rejected to shift from the low lying areas were informed that the wind speed had come down, leading to no likely damage, and that they need not panic. Relief camps were being run and the ten NDRF teams which were deployed, were closely monitoring the situation in the strategic places- from Bantumilli to Nagayalanaka. Though the cyclone has weakened into deep depression, the authorities have been asked to keep a vigil on the weather conditions for next 12 hours.
Rainfall: Coastal mandals on Thursday received very low rainfall. Above 10 mm rainfall was recorded in the coastal areas – Machilipatnam, Koduru and Nagayalanka. However, 142 mm average rainfall was recorded in Krishna District since early hours.