The Meteorological Department of Hyderabad warned on Monday that a heavy cyclone might hit Andhra Pradesh on May 19th, preceeded by a heavy downpour.
A low pressure was built up in the Bay of Bengal at 8:30am this morning, which soon aggravated into heavy winds and high tides by 11:30am. This is expected to turn into a cyclone within 12 hrs, and the high winds might reach the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh within 24 hrs, officials explained.
The monsoon rains, which usually arrive around 8 June in AP every year, will now be experienced a month in advance. Aided by winds at the speed of 40-50 kmph, high waves are anticipated to strike the sands of Visakhapatnam and cause turbulence. Waters around Andaman and Chennai are also expected to wreck havoc.
The Meteorological Department has issued warnings to the state fishermen, and has requested them not to venture out, especially in the next couple of days.