Cyclonic storm Fani to intensify to 'severe' stage in next 6 hours, PM asks officials to take preventive measures

Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is prevailing over South East Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood.

Representational Image/ AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE

New Delhi: Cyclonic storm Fani is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 6 hours and is likely to turn into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said. It is very likely to move northwestwards till evening of May 1 and thereafter recurve north-northwestwards gradually. Light to moderate rainfall is predicted by the IMD  at many places with heavy falls over isolated places over Kerala on April 29 and April 30. Light to moderate rainfall is likely at few places over North coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate rainfall are very likely at a few places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha on May 2. It is likely to increase in intensity with heavy rainfall over coastal Odisha from May 3. Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is prevailing over South East Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal from 30th morning and 160-170 kmph gusting to 185 kmph over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts from 01 May evening. It is likely to become 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph over west-central Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh Coast on  May 3, 2019. Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely to commence along and off Tamilnadu and Puducherry coast, Comorin area and Gulf of Mannar from 29th morning, becoming squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from 30th morning. It is very likely to become squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from 30th evening along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts. Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely to commence along and off Kerala coast from 29th morning and becoming squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on 30 Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to commence along and off north Andhra Pradesh & Odisha Coasts from 2' May and likely to become 50- 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from May 3 onwards over the same area. Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough along and off Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from April 29 to May 1. The sea conditions will be very rough along and off the north Andhra Pradesh coast from May 1-3 and along off Odisha coast from May 2 onwards. The IMD has also advised fishermen along the coasts of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry not to venture into the sea. Those in the deep sea were advised to return to the coast, the IMD added. Expressing concern over the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to officials to take preventive measure and provide assistance. "Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing," Modi tweeted.

Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2019