The India Met Department (IMD) on Thursday issued an advisory stating a cyclone has formed over the Bay of Bengal which may hit the coasts of Andhra Pradesh on December 16.
The advisory added that the cyclone after moving north-west towards the Andhra Pradesh would also affect the adjoining North Tamil Nadu coast during the subsequent three days.
According to reports, the depression, which is predicted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm (with winds of up to 120 kmph), is currently more than 1,000 kms away from the Indian coast.
"Extremely heavy rainfall could take place over coastal Andhra Pradesh on December 16", the IMD has warned.
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The weather department also said that the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe cyclone, the same category as 'Gaja' that hit the South Tamil Nadu exactly a month ago.
Image Credit: Satellite image as of 10.30 am IST
"High wind warning is effective over the central parts of South Bay and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean right from today," IMD officials said.
Fishermen, who are currently out in the deep sea areas, are advised to return to the coast.
However, the cyclone has not been named yet (cyclones are only named if the weather office believes they will have some impact) and the IMD has not yet predicted whether it will even hit the Indian coast.
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On November 16, 2018, a severe cyclonic storm, Gaja, battered the Tamil Nadu coast, leaving at least 11 people dead and causing widespread destruction.
The cyclone had caused huge and unprecedented devastation in the Cauvery delta and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu.
(With inputs from agencies)
