Cyclonic storm Jal - Andhra alerted - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

An alert has been sounded in various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as the cyclonic storm 'Jal' over southeast Bay and its adjoining southwest area moved slightly northwestwards over the same area on Saturday. Intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, it was centered about 1485kms south-southwest of Chittagong port, 1405kms south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port and 1410kms south of Mongla port at 6:00am . It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction, said a Met Office special bulletin The storm is expected to bring rain and thundershowers at most places in north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. "The deep depression over Bay of Bengal has further intensified into a cyclonic storm and lay centered today. It is likely to intensify further and move in north-western direction," said Prasada Rao, Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam . This storm would cause extensive damage to thatched roof houses and small huts. And can lead to minor interruptions in communication and power lines. The Indian Meteorological Department has advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea due to its rough state. Heavy rainfall has battered many districts of the state since Monday, as the northeast monsoon gains momentum over India 's southern coast. The monsoon this year has been particularly heavy across India , causing floods in many areas leading to devastation of property worth hundreds of millions of rupees.

Cyclonic storm 'Jal' moves towards coastline, alert sounded in Andhra, Tamil Nadu