The Andhra Pradesh government has sounded high alert in the south coastal districts of the state even as a cyclonic storm is likely to cross its coast by December one noon.

The state government asked the district collectors of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor and Kadapa to take all precautions, including positioning of men and material to meet any emergency and evacuation of people from low-lying areas, if required.

Fishermen have also been warned against venturing into the sea all along the state's 960-km coastline.   

Hyderabad Meteorological Office said the cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centered about 450 km east-southeast of Chennai at 5.30 am on Wednesday.

The system is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction and cross the extreme north Tamil Nadu - south Andhra Pradesh coast between Chennai and Machilipatnam by December one noon.

Under its influence fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy downpour is likely over extreme north coastal Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours.

Gale speed reaching 80-90 kmph also likely to commence along and off extreme north Tamil Nadu - Andhra Pradesh coasts from Wednesday night.