Cyclone "01 B" - "Laila" ... Update # 11 .. Moving North-West

IMD warning:
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The cyclonic storm ‘LAILA’ over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards during past 6 hours  and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 19th May 2010 over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.50N and long. 82.00E, about 190 km east-northeast of Chennai, 320 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam and 480 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam. 

               The current environmental conditions and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models suggest that the system is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly to northerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Kakinada, close to Machilipatnam by morning of 20th May 2010.

               Under the influence of this system, coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to experience widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cms or more) during next 36 hours.  Maximum Gale force wind with speed reaching 115-125 kmph likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall. Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph is likely along and off north Tamil Nadu coast during next 24 hours.

               Sea condition will be very high to phenomenal along and off Andhra Pradesh coast and very rough along and off north Tamil Nadu coast during next 36 hours. Fishermen are advised not venture into the sea off these coasts.

Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West  & East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.

Damage expected: Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts. Damage to power and  communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees. Flooding of escape routes over Nellore, Prakasham, Guntur, Krishna, West & East Godavar and Vishakhapatnam districts.

Action suggested: Total suspension of fishing operation. Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer places.  People in affected areas to remains indoors of the above districts.

               Next bulletin will be issued at 1430 hrs IST of today, the 19th May 2010.

Latest Satellite shot
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