Cyclone ‘Maichong’ likely to hit near Bapatla today
Bhubaneswar: Cyclone ‘Maichong’ has turned into a very severe cyclonic storm. It remains active over west-central adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal. This system is moving at a speed of 7 km per hour. Presently, it is centered 20 km north-north-east of Nellore, 170 km north of Chennai, 150 km south of Bapatla and 210 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The storm is facing the southern Andhra coast from the northern direction. It will make landfall in Nellore near Bapatla and Machilipatnam today in the east. Cyclone ‘Mikong’ will cross land as a severe cyclonic storm.
At that time the wind speed will be 90 to 100 km per hour. Wind speed can increase up to 110 km per hour. At the time of landfall, there is a possibility of tide rising up to one and a half meter in the sea. The sea will be very rough throughout.
Fishermen have been barred from going into the sea till tomorrow. A red warning has been issued for south Andhra along with north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for very heavy rain today. Heavy rainfall of more than 204.4 mm is likely at some places.
Cyclone ‘Mikong’ has started affecting the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rains have started in many areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in several districts of Andhra Pradesh today in view of excessive rain. These places include Nellore, Tirupati, Krishna, Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada.
