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Cyclone heading for Tamil Nadu, AP coast

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

The cyclone over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe storm and lies centred about 400km southeast of Madras. "It is likely to intensify further and move into a west-northwesterly direction and cross the north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by November 29 morning (Wednesday)," Dr C V V Bhadram, director, Meteorological Centre, Hyderabad, said.

"Under the influence of the storm, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in five south AP districts -- Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna -- during the next 48 hours from Tuesday night," the meteorological director said.

He pointed out that "gale winds reaching speeds of 80 to 90kph are likely along and off Nellore and Prakasam districts at the time of the storm-crossing".

Meanwhile, the state government has alerted the district administration in Nellore and Prakasam districts, which are likely to be hit by the storm, to take precautionary measures.

The district collectors in Nellore and Prakasam have already opened control rooms and begun deploying the staff on emergency duty. The evacuation of people from low-lying and vulnerable areas on the coast is slated to begin on Tuesday night, the Nellore collector informed the state authorities in Hyderabad.

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