‘Vardha’ to peak as severe cyclone today, away from coastal Andhra

‘Vardha’, a raging cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to strengthen as a severe cyclone tomorrow (Friday) and retain that status right through the three days that follow.

Fortunately, the Andhra Pradesh coast, where ‘Vardha’ is expected to make landfall on December 12 (Monday), would be a safe distance from the peaking cyclone.

‘Vardha’ is forecast to wind down a round in strength to a conventional cyclone as it barrels its way into the coast between Nellore and Kakinada on Monday.

At its peak strength, ‘Vardha’ will be buffeted by winds speeding up to 120 km/hr and gusting to 130 km/hr, an outlook from the India Met Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

The Met placed the cyclone 1,040 km east-south-east of Visakhapatnam and 1,135 kn east-south-east of Machilipatnam (both along Andhra Pradesh coast) on Thursday afternoon.

After intensifying tomorrow, ‘Vardha’ is expected to move northwards for some time before shifting gears to reorient itself west-north-west (closing in on the Andhra coast).

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts still maintains its outlook for a landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast, closer to Chennai. Meanwhile, ‘Vardha’ has been dumping an enormous amount of rainfall over the Andaman & Nicobar islands over the past couple of days.

During the 24 hours ending on Thursday morning, Long Islands recorded 23 cm of rainfall. Port Blair recorded 22 cm; Nancowry, 6 cm; Car Nicobar, 5 cm; Hut Bay, 3cm; and Mayabandar, 1cm.

The IMD has said that heavy rain will continue to pound the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on Friday as well. It has extended a weather alert for Andhra Pradesh valid from Saturday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea off and along the Andhra Pradesh coast from Saturday. Those who are already out at sea have been advised to return.

The sea condition will become ‘rough’ to ‘very rough’ along the coast from Saturday. The next day will see heavy rain lashing coastal Andhra Pradesh with isolated heavy falls to the North of the coast.

Squally winds speeding up to 50 km/hr and gusting to 60 km/hr have been forecast along the entire coast from Saturday night.

Meanwhile, some weather models have pointed to the possibility of a fresh churn in the Bay of Bengal after ‘Vardha’ makes landfall over the East Coast. Others have suggested that it is likely to end up as an ‘easterly wave’ heading straight for Sri Lanka and the adjoining south Tamil Nadu coast. Easterly waves are known for their rain-producing capacity.