(Image source from: NDTV.com)

Coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the cyclonic storm developing over the Bay of Bengal is set to make landfall around Kakinada Monday afternoon.

Dubbed as Phethai, the cyclone is set to hit Andhra Pradesh coast with a wind speed of up to 70-90 kmph.

Anticipating the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on high alert along with the Coast Guard. Sixteen teams of Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response and Fire Services are on standby at Rajamahendravaram, while another nine (of five members each) have been positioned in West Godavari district for road clearance, news agency PTI reported.

The India Meteorological Department has called for a total suspension of fishing operations along and off Andhra Pradesh coast on Sunday and Monday, advising fisherman to not venture into deep sea along and off Andra, north Tamilnadu and Puducherry coasts till 17th December.

We are fully equipped with the RTEs assessing the impact of the Pethai effect. We are directly reviewing the situation for every hour to keep the 48 hours up to date. Let's face this problem that comes to the state, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu tweeted.

The Odisha government has already asked district collectors to take steps to protect paddy from the unseasonal rain. Fishermen were advised not to venture into deep sea areas of west-central and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal till Monday.

The system is likely to cause widespread rain in all districts of Gangetic West Bengal, with heavy rain in one or two places till Tuesday morning, the Met department said.

The Indian Navy has been keeping a watch on the cyclonic storm which initially developed over the Bay of Bengal. The storm is to make landfall and it is likely the forces can be deployed for rescue and relief mission.

-Sowmya