Cyclone alert for Andhra Pradesh coast

NEW DELHI (INDIA): The cyclonic storm, VARDAH over southeast Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 06 hrs, slightly intensified further and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 9th December, 2016 over southeast Bay of Bengal near Latitude 12.1ºN and Longitude 90.4ºE, about 990 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 1090 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 250 km west-northwest of Port Blair.nnThe system is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It is very likely to move initially northwestwards, then west-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Kakinada around afternoon/evening of 12th December 2016. However, there is possibility of slight weakening of the system before landfall.nnWarning:nn(i) Heavy Rainfall Warning: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy falls over coastal Andhra Pradesh is very likely to commence from 11th December evening.nn(ii) Wind warning: Squally winds speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph would prevail over Andaman and Nicobar Islands & adjoining sea areas during next 12 hrs and gradually decrease thereafter. Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from 11th December night.nn(iii) Sea condition: Sea condition would be moderate to rough along & off Andaman and Nicobar Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 12 hrs. Sea condition would be also be rough to very rough along & off Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from 11th December night.nn(iv) Fishermen Warning: Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off Andaman Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 12 hrs. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from 10th December onwards. The fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast by 10th December 2016.