Cyclone Amphan Likely to Hit Andhra Pradesh Coast in Coming Days As Low Pressure Intensifies Over South Andaman Sea

Cyclone Amphan Likely to Hit Andhra Pradesh Coast in Coming Days As Low Pressure Intensifies Over South Andaman Sea

Amaravati, May Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to face Cyclone Amphan which is slowly drifting towards the coast of the southern state. Earlier this week, a low-pressure area was formed over the South Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal which, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, would continue for up to next 72 hours. The weather agency had also warned of a possible cyclone named Amphan. In its weather bulletin, the IMD predicted thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely to occur at isolated places in Andhra Pradesh. If the low pressure intensifies, neighbouring states of Odisha and Telangana are likely to be affected by the Cyclone. 

Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has ordered all the officials to stay alert and monitor the situation round-the-clock and watch the situation of the cyclonic storm. Reports inform that Reddy has also advised the departments of electricity, revenue, civic affairs and medical to stay vigilant and be prepared to deal with any eventuality. In the wake of the current weather condition, all fishermen have been advised to strictly enforce suspension of fishing activity across the sea waters of the state.

Initially, it was reported that the cyclone might hit the coast of Myanmar, but it has changed its course of direction. According to several predictions, the cyclone will make a landfall somewhere around May 9. The system is currently moving slowly. If the same conditions persist, the cyclone will hit Andhra Pradesh in the coming days. The is believed to reach the next stages like depression, deep depression and then cyclone.

Amphan is the name given by proposed by Thailand as part of a previous list of names suggested by eight countries. Amphan is the last name in the previous list of cyclone names that were proposed by different countries. In April, the IMD issued a list of 169 cyclone names from 13 member countries. The list comprises names of 13 cyclones each from each member countries, totalling to 169. The names for India include Arnab, Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Boom, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, Ghurni, Ambud, Jaladhi and Vega.