Phethai Cripples Andhra Pradesh

  Cyclone 'Phethai' made landfall in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday. Very heavy rainfall has reported in the coastal districts of the state.  The state government said that the cyclone had weakened before making landfall near Katrenikona. Schools and colleges were closed as a precautionary measure in the coastal districts today. 

State Home minister  China Rajappa said that Normal life has come to a standstill in East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Vizianagram, Visakhapatnam and Vijaywada due to very heavy rain and high winds. Unofficial reports said that one person was killed in the rain related incidents in Vijayawada .  Train and air services were  disrupted because of the cyclone.

The Real-Time Governance Centre (RTGS) at the state secretariat confirmed  'Phethai' weakened into a cyclone after making landfall. It moved towards Kakinada.