The cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ waning in intensity over west-central Bay of Bengal, lay centred as a deep depression at about 80 kms east-southeast of Machilipatnam. Moving west-northwestwards, it is expected to weaken further and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam by this afternoon. Our correspondent reports that the Met Department has withdrawn the cyclone warning as the system has weakened into a deep depression.

He adds that the very severe cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ potentially threatening to cause huge damage along the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh has gradually waned and weakend. However, under its influence rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would occur over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Puducherry during the next 24 hours.

Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over Telangana during the next 36 hours. Squally winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph would prevail along and off the Andhra coast during the next 12 hours.Port signals along the coast were lowered to Local Cautionary (LC) number III. However, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as the state of the sea remains rough to very rough along and off the coast.