Cyclonic Storm ‘Phethai’ to Cross Coast to South of Kakinada within few hours :IMD

(UNI) The Cyclonic Storm ‘PHETHAI’
over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved further northwards
with a speed of 19 kmph during past 6 hours on Monday
and lay centred at 1130 hrs over westcentral Bay of
Bengal near latitude 16.2°N and longitude 82.2°E,
85 km south-southwest of Kakinada and 60 km
east-southeast of Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh.
It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross
Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada during this
afternoon between (1500 To 1700 Hours IST).
However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions,
it is likely to cross coast as a ‘cyclonic storm’ with a wind
speed of 70-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.
Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northeastwards
and weaken gradually, India Meteorological Department
in a bulletin said.