The Cyclone storm Nilam over Bay of Bengal is moving north-westwards and lay centered about 180 kilometres south-southeast to Chennai. Met department in its latest bulletin said, it is expected to make a landfall by this evening between Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. Under its influence, heavy rains are lashing several districts in the South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh state Government has appointed special officers to monitor cyclone effect and take necessary precautionary measures. They will be stationed at Nellore, Ongole and Chittoor. Rescue teams have been kept standby with the cyclone storm coming closure to the coast and relief camps are being prepared to facilitate for mass evacuation in case of need. The cargo handling operations have been stalled in Krishnapatbnam and Vodarevu ports. Cyclone warning signal no 7 has been hoisted at Vodarevu port while warning signal 6 has been displayed at Krishnapatnam, Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam. Warning signal 4 displayed at Kakinada and Gangavaram ports.

Meanwhile, heavy rains are lashing several parts of Nellore , Prakasam, Guntur , Chittoor, Krishna and also surrounding Rayalaseema districts. Gale wind speed reaching 80 kilometer per hour gusting to 100 KMPH likely to prevail along the coastal areas in these districts for next 24 hours. Fishermen along the entire Andhra Pradesh coast have been asked not to venture into the sea.

Meanwhile, several areas in Nellore, Prakasam and Chittoor districts inundated due to incessant rains for last two days. Standing crops like paddy and Groundnut were underwater at many places.