Weatherman has warned of a severe cyclonic storm for the coastal areas of south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu in the next few hours.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement in Hyderabad that a severe depression formed in the Bay of Bengal may transform into a cyclonic storm in the coming hours.

The depression, named ‘Thane’, may adversely affect the coastal areas of AP, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry as it develops into a severe storm in the next 24 hours. Under its impact, heavy rains may lash the coastal regions continuously for three days from Dec 27.

The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre has also warned fishermen not to venture into the sea from today. Reports said that fishermen’s boats have been washed away into the sea in some coastal villages of the AP as a result of the depression. (JUBS)