Cyclonic Storm Vardah to target areas from Chennai to Visakhapatnam this weekend

By Eric Leister , AccuWeather meteorologist

December 7,2016, 11:38:25PM,EST

 Cyclonic Storm Vardah in the Bay of Bengal will strengthen as it tracks westward toward India this week.

The tropical depression that formed in the Bay of Bengal earlier this week strengthened to a cyclonic storm on Thursday morning, local time.
The cyclone is forecast to approach eastern India this weekend with the greatest impacts likely to occur on Sunday and Monday.

“Residents from Chennai to Visakhapatnam should continue to monitor the situation,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty said.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands will face the brunt of the new cyclone’s impacts through Friday as flooding downpours and strong winds batter the islands.
Wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph) are possible along with rainfall totals over 150 mm (6 inches). Localized rainfall amounts of over 250 mm (10 inches) are possible.
Flash flooding, mudslides and power outages are all possible across the islands.
Dangerous conditions are expected for shipping interests across the Bay of Bengal through the weekend as the strengthening cyclone tracks westward.
The main threat will shift to India as the outer rain bands could reach the coastline as early as Saturday night.
Conditions are expected to worsen from Sunday into Monday as the cyclone approaches and makes landfall along the east cost of India.
Locations such as Chennai, Nellore, Ongole, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam could all endure significant impacts from this cyclone.
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The cyclone is expected to strengthen as it approaches India and could bring wind gusts over 130 km/h (81 mph) to areas near the landfall point.
Locations up to 100 km (62 miles) from the center of the storm could endure damaging winds. These winds could result in widespread power outages and some structural damage.
Flooding rain will also threaten parts of Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu.
The exact track of the cyclone will determine what areas are most affected; however, the potential exists for rainfall in excess of 200 mm (8 inches) in the hardest-hit areas.
Flooding and mudslides are possible along with widespread travel delays.
While the cyclone will pose serious threats, rainfall is needed across northern Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
These areas have received less than 50 percent of their normal precipitation since September.