Cyclone Lehar Landfall by Thursday in Andrah Pradesh / Tuesday Update
Lehar Sat
Cyclone Lehar continues to track west towards India packing winds gusting up to 140kph, this places it currently around the intensity of a weak Typhoon. The storm is forecasted to continue to intensify through Wednesday maxing out with winds sustained at 180G200kph (about the equivalent of a weak Cat 2-3 on the SSC) before a rapid weakening just prior to landfall and once it moves on shore by Thursday morning near Kakinada in Andrah Pradesh.
Impacts from the storm will first start to be felt by Wednesday Afternoon near the coastline as outer rain bands begin to move on shore. The intensity will gradually increase through Thursday morning at which time squalls with gust up to 200kph along with isolated areas of extremely heavy rainfall are possible near the immediate coastline.
The worst of the weather should remain north of the center of circulation, this is due to a multitude of factors. One being the right front quadrant typically has the most severe weather of a storm. But also dry air out of the parched Indian Sub-Continent ushered in by the NE monsoon will wrap around the storm leaving the southern half of it dry and exposed. Chennai should see breezy conditions with little to no rainfall as the storm moves on shore.
For those in the path of this storm do take proper precautions and if in a flood prone area near the coast evacuate. Always play it safe with these types of storms. Despite it not being a monster of a cyclone it will still be packing a punch and those along the shore line at landfall will be seeing destructive winds.
From the IMD. “Damage expected over north coastal Andhra Pradesh:
Extensive damage to kutcha houses. Disruption of power and communication line.
Disruption of rail and road traffic. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes. Extensive damage to agricultural crops”.
JTWC TRACK “Not Official”
Please check in with the official warnings at the IMD for more information on this storm. You can also follow us on FB and Twitter at Westpacwx
Source: www.westernpacificweather.com
