Cyclone Fani is likely to bring light heavy rain across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed concern about the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani which is approaching coastal Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh. He asked officials in the states, which will be affected by the cyclone, to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance to the citizens.
PM Modi tweeted, "Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and well-being."
Monitoring the situation closely, Prime Minister has directed Cabinet Secretary to convene the Meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to take stock of the situation.
NDRF and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert.
The weather department is regularly issuing warning since April 25 to fishermen to not to venture into the sea and have asked those at sea to return to coast.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned states. Home Ministry is in touch with the state governments and the central agencies.
"Fani" is expected to intensify into a "severe cyclonic storm" today, the weather office said.
Cyclonic storm "Fani", as on today morning, was located at 880 kilometer south east of Chennai. It is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow. The storm will continue to move north west and change its path to north east from May 1.
The cyclone was earlier 910 km south-east of Chennai and 1,090 km from Machilipattinam in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Fani is likely to bring light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over the next two days.
The weather department has ruled out that the cyclone will make a landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. However, there is a possibility that it will make a landfall in Odisha and this is being monitored.
The state government has asked district officers and departments to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions. They have been instructed to check all cyclone and flood shelters and communication systems.
Sea conditions are likely to be very rough off the coast of Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen have thus been cautioned against venturing into sea during the rough weather.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)