Cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’ in Bay of Bengal continues to advance towards Andhra Pradesh coast while authorities are gearing up to prevent loss of life and property in north coastal districts.

The north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam and also adjoining district of East Godavari are on high alert.

The India Meterological Department (IMD) has issued cyclone warning for north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.

The severe cyclonic storm over westcentral and adjoining eastcentral Bay moved west-northwestwards and lay centered about 530 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 570 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, said a bulletin by IMD at 11.30 a.m. Friday.

“The system would move west-northwestwards, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. Thereafter, it would cross north Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of Oct 12.”

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecast at a few places over east Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha from Saturday evening.

The met office has forecast squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph along and off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts from Saturday morning. The wind speed would increase to 130-140 kmph from Sunday morning along and off north Andhra coast and 80-90 kmph along and off south Odisha coast.

It also warned that storm surge would inundate low lying areas of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.

As the sea conditions will be rough, the met office has suggested suspension of fishing operations.

Sea water gushed up to four meters in coastal village of Chintapalli in Vijayanagaram district Friday morning. Fishermen were trying to salvage their boats and nets.

In Visakhapatnam, Human Resources Development Minister G. Srinivasa Rao reviewed the situation with officials. He appealed to people to cooperate and follow the advise of the officials. He said a control room has been set up in the office of the district collector. The authorities opened 125 relief camps for people to be evacuated from low-lying areas.