Cyclone Fani, which has been forming in south-east Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Indian Ocean, is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by this afternoon, according to the weather department.

The Indian Meteorological department said, "Cyclone Fani is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours."

The latest weather bulletin issued by Indian Meteorology Department says it was found laying centred at 1,110 km south-east of Chennai and 1,300 km away from Machilipattinam in the wee hours today. According to the warnings, Cylone Fani is now travelling at a speed of 80-90 kmph and is likely to reach a speed of 110 kmph on Sunday.

"Fani cyclonic storm will slowly change the direction after May 1 to the north and north eastward. It will not cross Tamil Nadu coast and south Andhra coast," Balachandran said.

Cyclone Fani, which has been forming in south-east Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Indian Ocean, is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by this afternoon, according to the weather department.

The Indian Meteorological department said, "Cyclone Fani is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours."

The latest weather bulletin issued by Indian Meteorology Department says it was found laying centred at 1,110 km south-east of Chennai and 1,300 km away from Machilipattinam in the wee hours today. According to the warnings, Cylone Fani is now travelling at a speed of 80-90 kmph and is likely to reach a speed of 110 kmph on Sunday.

"Fani cyclonic storm will slowly change the direction after May 1 to the north and north eastward. It will not cross Tamil Nadu coast and south Andhra coast," Balachandran said.