Andhra Pradesh: Cyclone Phethai to cross between Vizag and Kakinada coasts on Monday

VISAKHAPATNAM: Cyclone Phethai is expected to make landfall between Vizag and Kakinada coasts on Monday, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday.
The cyclone is moving at a speed of 20kmph. Squally winds are prevailing on the coast from Sunday morning.
At present, the cyclone has been located around 500kms away from Kakinada and 600kms away from Visakhapatnam coast.
It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclone by Sunday evening but intensity will increase while crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada coasts on Monday, said K Naga Ratna, director, IMD, Hyderabad Centre.
The Cyclone Phethai is not stronger than cyclone Titli which had destroyed Srikakulam district on October this year, Naga Ratna said.
Visakhapatnam joint collector G Srijana visited Payakaraopeta, border coastal mandal of East Godavari and Visakhapatnam district on Sunday to check cyclone preparedness.
Srijana said, "Five coastal mandals in Visakhapatnam south have been put on high alert."
Trees and electricity poles were uprooted at Uppalaguptam coastal mandal of East Godavari district.
East Godavari collector Kartikeya Mishra said that a total 295 villages of 17 coastal mandals in the district would severely be affected by the cyclone Phethai.
Control rooms were set up at Kakinada and Amalapuram in the district, Mishra said.