(i) Weather System:
The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘PHETHAI’ over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved further northwards with a speed of 24 kmph during past 06 hours, weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 17th December, 2018 over westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 15.8°N and longitude 82.2°E, 370 km north-northeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 120 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 130 km south of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada during 17th December afternoon. However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, it is likely to slightly weaken further before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.
(ii) Wind warning for Sea areas
Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 gusting to 100 prevails over westcentral Bay of Bengal around the system centre and is very likely to become 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during next 12 hours.
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 very high to high over westcentral Bay of Bengal around system centre. The sea condition is very likely to be high over westcentral Bay of Bengal and along & off central Andhra Pradesh coast and Yanam district of Puducherry during next 12 hours. It will be very rough along & off remaining parts of Andhra Pradesh coast and rough to very rough along & off north Tamilnadu and Puducherry coasts during same period..
(vi)Action suggested
Total suspension of fishing operations along & off Andhra Pradesh coast on 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.
The fishermen are advised not to venture along & off south Odisha coast on 17th December.
Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to the coasts..