The intensity of cyclonic storm Lehar, which is expected to hit Andhra Pradesh coast this afternoon and bring heavy rain, has weakened. An official bulletin said in Hyderabad last night that the very severe cyclonic storm, located over west-central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal, has weakened into a severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to weaken further and cross Andhra coast near Machillipatnam this afternoon.

Andhra Pradesh government, however, remained alert, evacuating people from vulnerable areas and taking all precautionary measures. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who reviewed the situation with officials, has directed the administration at Hyderabad and all the coastal districts, particularly Krishna, East, West Godavari and Visakhapatnam to be on high alert and take precautionary measures. Mr Reddy said, though the severity of cyclone has come down, heavy rain is expected in East and West Godavari, Krishna
and Guntur districts. Heavy rain is also expected to lash Yanam district of Puducherry today.

Odisha government has deployed fire service teams with rescue gear in southern districts in the wake of cyclonic storm. State's Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra said, Collectors of southern and western districts have been alerted and fire service has been deployed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts to meet any eventuality. Met Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.

South Central and East Coast railways have announced that all the trains which are diverted or rescheduled or cancelled due to cyclonic storm will now run normally as the system is weakening.