Cyclone Phethai may hit Andhra coast tomorrow

VIJAYAWADA: The AP government has geared up to meet the threat of Cyclone Phethai, expected to hit the Andhra coast between Ongole and Kakinada on Monday. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with senior officials and directed district collectors to take measures to prevent loss of life.
The local administration has declared holiday for schools on Monday and Tuesday in mandals that are near the coast even as the sea intruded landwards up to 30 feet at a few places in Guntur, Krishna, and West and East Godavari districts on Saturday.A round-theclock helpline (1100) has been set up for any emergency assistance.
The severe depression that progressed into a cyclone is slowly moving towards the Andhra coast and lay centred at about 870 km from Machilipatnam coast on Saturday evening. It is very likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday night or Monday and cross the coast by Monday evening. The AP government has put off concrete works at the prestigious Polavaram dam to January in view of the cyclone.
The IMD has warned that damage is expected over East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. “Damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines due to breaking of branches, major damage to kutcha and minor damage to pucca roads is expected,” IMD warned on Saturday.