Lehar weakens, to cross coast today
HYDERABAD: The very severe cyclonic storm, Lehar, over west-central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal changed direction and weakened into a severe cyclonic storm. According to the Met department, it is about 400 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and will weaken further and cross the coast near Machilipatnam as a cyclonic storm Thursday afternoon.
Under its influence, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places will occur over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Puducherry on Thursday.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur over these regions on Friday. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls will also occur over Telangana on Thursday and Friday.
Squally winds with speed reaching up to 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off the coast during the next 24 hours. It will increase in intensity with gale wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph and gusting to 90 kmph along and off the coastal districts of Guntur, Krishna, West & East Godavari and adjoining areas of Visakhapatnam districts in the State and Yanam district in Puducherry at the time of landfall.
However, taking no chances, the State government has put Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts on high alert. Visakhapatnam and Prakasam too are on alert.
The National Disaster Management Authority has deployed 30 NDRF teams at tactical locations in the State to handle any emergency situation. Some additional teams have also been kept on standby, the NDMA said.
Rainfall likely across the state
Lehar will weaken into a cyclonic storm and make landfall near Machilipatnam this afternoon. Under its influence, rainfall is likely at many places and heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in coastal districts. Rainfall at many places is also likely in Telangana.
News Posted: 28 November, 2013
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