Cyclone to hit Andaman Nicobar Islands

NEW DELHI: A cyclonic storm heading towards Andaman and Nicobar Island is set to hit the islands by October 9. The cyclone which has yet to be named, would move west-northwestwards and cross Andaman islands near Mayabandar by forenoon of Wednesday as a deep depression. It would then continue to move west-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards towards north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during next 72 hours.

Minor damages to loose and unsecured structures are expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The fishermen were advised not to venture into Andaman sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hrs.

The depression over North Andaman Sea moved northwestward with a speed of 13 Kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of October 8th over north Andaman Sea, about 150 km northeast of Port Blair, 1150 km east-southeast of Paradip, 1300 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system would intensify into a deep depression and further into a cyclonic storm by October 9 said an India Meterological Department official.

Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at few places would occur over Andaman and Nicobar Islands during next 48 hrs. Isolated extremely heavy falls (= 25cm) would occur over Andaman Islands during the same period.

Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would prevail over Andaman Nicobar Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 48 hours. Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off Andaman and Nicobar Islands during this period.