(i) Weather System:
The Cyclonic storm ‘PHETHAI’ over southwest Bay of Bengal moved further north-northwestwards with a speed of
16 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 16th December, 2018 over southwest & adjoining
Westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 11.8°N and longitude 84.0°E, about 460 km northeast of Trincomalee (Sri
Lanka), 430 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 560 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra
Pradesh) and 600 km south-southeast Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to intensify further into a Severe
Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh
coast between Machilipatnam and Kakinada during 17th December afternoon. However, due to unfavourable
environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken slightly before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm.
(ii) Wind warning for Sea areas
Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph prevails over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of
Bengal. It is very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 80-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over westcentral
Bay of Bengal on 17th December.
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely over northwest Bay of Bengal on 17th
December.
(iii) Sea condition
The sea condition is high over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal around system center. The sea
condition is very likely to be high to very high over westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal from
16th evening to 17th December. It is rough to very rough along & off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil
Nadu & Puducherry coasts and will become very rough to high along & off central Andhra Pradesh coast and
Yanam district of Puducherry from 16th evening to 17th December evening.
(vi)Action suggested
Total suspension of fishing operations along & off Andhra Pradesh coast on 16th & 17th
December. The fishermen are advised not to venture into southwest & westcentral Bay of
Bengal and along & off Andhra Pradesh, north Tamilnadu & Puducherry coasts till 17th
December.
Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to the coast.