The severe cyclonic storm PHETHAI will hit Andhra coast near Kakinada this afternoon with a wind speed of 70-90 km per hour. Met officials have warned of heavy rain in Coastal Andhra Pradesh.   East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam district of Puducherry are likely to experience very heavy rainfall. Alert has been issued in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam district of Puducherry and South coastal districts of Odisha.

The district administration of Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, East Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have been put on high in view of the impending cyclone. Local administration declared a holiday for schools. No-3 warning flags have been hoisted at the ports in all Coastal districts and sirens arranged in vulnerable areas to the people.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed mainly in the central Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts to meet any eventuality. The potential impact of the cyclone was already felt yesterday.

Temperatures at some places on the coastal area dipped and cold weather conditions prevailed. Some parts experienced light drizzle due to the influence of the cyclone storm. Cyclone shelters have been opened in some coastal districts and transportation facility has been arranged to evacuate people.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the official machinery to be on high and take measures for the safety of people in the vulnerable areas.  Meanwhile, farmers are facing hardships as the crops especially paddy is either ready for harvesting or on the fields just after cutting.