Cyclonic storm ROANU to strike Andhra Pradesh coast: IMD

The cyclonic storm ROANU that emerged in the west central Bay of Bengal was in news. It came into news after India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its prediction said that the Cyclone is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 20 May 2016 night and will hit Andhra coast. At present, ROANU is moving northeastwards and lay centred at south-southeast of Machilipatnam, about 290 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam & 160 km south-southwest of Kakinada. IMD prediction and warning • It issued an orange warning message to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. • It issued yellow message for West Bengal as the system would turn into severe cyclonic storm. • Moving northeastwards, the system is likely to cross south Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Cox’s Bazar on 22 May 2016. • It issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning to coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Odisha and coastal Gangetic West Bengal under the influence of the cyclonic storm coupled with gusty winds speeds reaching 90-100 kmph. • Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea as the condition along and off Andhra Pradesh, South Odisha and West Bengal coasts are very likely to be high to very high. • In Andhra Pradesh the district administrations have been asked to see that people staying in low-lying areas are shifted to safer places. • It says that power and communication service will suffer minor damage, while major damage will be cause to kutcha roads. Minor damage will be caused to pucca roads over coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 48 hours and over south coastal Odisha from tonight onwards. NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept in readiness and essential items like food, water, medicines and other material has been kept ready to meet any eventuality.