Chennai: In the next 12 hours, the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean will intensify into a cyclone, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Cyclone Fani, as it has been named, has developed from a depression into a deep depression.
It is lying at 1,210 km southeast of Chennai and is moving at a speed of 20 kmph.
According to IMD sources, the storm is likely to become a intense cyclone and move along the Sri Lankan coast tomorrow (Sunday).
It is likely to move northwestwards off the Sri Lanka coast and reach near north Tamilnadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast by 30 April evening, the IMD said.
The Met department said Friday the depression over east equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved further northwestwards and is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 12 hours.
The IMD forecast squally winds with speeds over 100 kmph between April 27 and 30 in the regionĀ covering coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry, besides south Andhra Pradesh coast.
It advised fishermen against venturing into deep sea off the east equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal between Friday and Tuesday. Fishermen already in the deep seas should return to the coast by April 28, it added.
Collectors have been asked to keep relief centres in coastal areas ready. Also, the inter-departmental zonal teams have been advised to be ready for deployment, he added. As many as 4,339 already identified vulnerable areas have been mapped, providing data like relief centres and evacuation routes for use by inter-departmental teams to take appropriate steps.