Cyclone Amphan impact: Rain, strong winds lash parts of north coastal Andhra  

Parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday received rains accompanied by strong winds while the sea was rough with storm surge under the impact of super cyclone 'Amphan' which made landfall in West Bengal.

Rains lashed parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts while huge tidal waves lashed the coastline at few places in the coastal belt.

However, no loss of life or property damage was reported from any part of the region, officials said.

According to the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Centre, strong surface winds with speed reaching 45-50 kmph were blowing along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

It said sea condition was very rough along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh. It said sea condition was phenomenal over north Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

The sea was rough in the port city of Visakhapatnam. The sea water advanced onto land to several meters along the famous RK Beach road. The authorities had closed the road for vehicular traffic as a precautionary measure.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh. They were also advised not to venture into north Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, along and off Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts during next 24 hours.

Distant warning signal number two was kept hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam ports. Distant warning signal number two with section signal number was kept hoisted at Kakinada and Gangavaram ports, said the Cyclone Warning Centre.

Earlier, huge waves lashed the coast of Mangamaripeta village in Visakhapatnam district. Tourism Minister Avanti Srinivas visited the village and warned fishermen not to venture in the sea. He advised the people of the village to be alert and stay safe at the time of the cyclone making its landfall.

Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Krishna Das held a review meeting with district officials in Srikakulam. State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) personnel and the police were deployed as a precautionary measure.

Officials were asked to coordinate with the authorities of neighbouring Odisha over the flooding of rivers and also take necessary precautions to prevent damage to the electrical lines.