The severe cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ over southeast Bay of Bengal has now become a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ and has moved slightly westwards and lay centred at about 1100 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam. It is centred at about 1000 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 940 km southeast of Kalingapatnam.

The system would intensify, move west-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada around 28th November noon.

The coastal districts are getting ready to face the cyclone and measures are being taken to avoid loss of life and property. Fishermen were told not to venture into the sea.

Under its influence moderate rainfall at many places would commence from tomorrow afternoon over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha with increase in intensity gradually to heavy to very heavy falls.

Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence along and off Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts from tomorrow evening. It would increase in intensity with gale wind speed reaching 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph along and off coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.