WEATHER WARNING FOR FISHERMEN FOR KARNATAKA, KERALA COASTS AND LAKSHADWEEP AREA (For next 24 hours valid from 1200 Hours IST of 16th DECEMBER 2018) | Area | Warning Message | | Karnataka Coast | NIL. | | Kerala coast | NIL. | | Lakshadweep Area | NIL. | Special weather warning for fishermen for Bay of Bengal: (i) Weather System: The Cyclonic storm ‘PHETHAI’ over southwest Bay of Bengal moved further north-northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 16th December, 2018 over southwest & adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 11.8°N and longitude 84.0°E, about 460 km northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 430 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 560 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 600 km south-southeast Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kakinada during 17th December afternoon. However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken slightly before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm. (ii) Wind warning for Sea areas Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph prevails over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 80-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over westcentral Bay of Bengal on 17th December. Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely over northwest Bay of Bengal on 17th December. (iii) Sea condition The sea condition is high over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal around system center. The sea condition is very likely to be high to very high over westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal from 16th evening to 17th December. It is rough to very rough along & off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts and will become very rough to high along & off central Andhra Pradesh coast and Yanam district of Puducherry from 16th evening to 17th December evening. (vi)Action suggested Total suspension of fishing operations along & off Andhra Pradesh coast on 16th & 17th December. The fishermen are advised not to venture into southwest & westcentral Bay of Bengal and along & off Andhra Pradesh, north Tamilnadu & Puducherry coasts till 17th December. Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to the coast. | 