Cyclone Phethai makes landfall at Andhra's Konaseema, triggers heavy rain

Rough sea seen at Kakinada beach on Monday, as Cyclone Phethai nears the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Cyclone Phethai crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Yanam around 1 p.m. on Monday. Under its impact, heavy rains are pounding the East and West Godavari districts and gales with a top speed of 80 kmph are lashing Kakinada, Yanam and Tuni and surrounding areas, according to an update by the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS).

The Konaseema region in the East Godavari district and adjoining areas are expected to receive a downpour in a few hours, mostly in Razole, Sakhinetipalli, Amalapuram, Ambajipeta, Mamidikuduru, Allavaram, Katrenikona and Uppalaguptam mandals.

The RTGS alerted the departments concerned to the likelihood of Phethai leaving a trail of destruction in its wake while the India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains across coastal Andhra in the next 48 hours.

This image provided by the Met Department shows severe cyclonic storm Phethai nearing Andhra Pradesh coast at 5:30 am on Monday.