The cyclonic storm ‘Kyant’ over west-central Bay of Bengal moved further west-south-west wards and lay centred over west-central Bay of Bengal, at about 280 km south-east of Visakhapatnam by 4 pm on Thursday.
According to K. Ramachandra Rao, Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre here, it is most likely to move west-south westwards during next 24 hours and south-west wards thereafter. The system has weakened into a deep depression and by Thursday night or Friday morning it is expected to further weaken into a depression.
Under its influence strong surface winds from a northerly direction with speed reaching 45 to 55 km/hr are likely along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh. He said there may be light to moderate rainfall in the north-coastal Andhra Pradesh and slightly heavier rains in the south coastal AP districts and also parts of Tamil Nadu abutting AP.
Visakhapatnam district Collector Pravin Kumar said all precautionary measures had been taken to face the cyclone, but according to present forecasts they may not be necessary. However, people in the low-lying areas will be evacuated, if necessary.
ODI cricket match : There is also some anxiety among cricket lovers over the fifth and final ODI cricket match, the final one and the decider, to be played here on Saturday between India and New Zealand and whether rain would play spoil-sport. As India lost the fourth ODI match to New Zealand at Ranchi on Wednesday, the match assumes great significance.
Andhra Cricket Association officials, however, said that super soppers and other equipment are available to deal with moderate to light rain. "The forecast today is very encouraging and we are hopeful that there will be no disruption," they said.