Cyclonic storm Phailin approaching Odisha, Andhra coasts

New Delhi: A "very severe cyclonic storm" Phailin, over westcentral Bay of Bengal, will cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts by Saturday evening, said the India Meteorological Department.

The IMD issued a bulletin here Saturday, which said the cyclonic storm at 2.30 a.m was located at about 355 km southwest of Paradip and 320 km southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha, and at about 315 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

It also issued a warning that the cyclonic storm will cross north Andhra Pradesh and the Odisha coasts, between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, and close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by Saturday evening.

The cyclonic storm Phailin will reach a maximum speed of 210-220 km/h, IMD has said.