Visakhapatnam: The severe cyclonic weather system called Hudhud currently 700 km away from Visakhapatnam, will intensify in a "very severe cyclonic storm" in the next 24 hours. 

According to experts, the cyclone was expected to cross the coast at Gopalpur in Odisha, now landfall near Visakhapatnam on Sunday morning. In terms of speed and wind speed, are unlikely to be stronger than Hudhud Phailin, which hit the coast of Odisha on October 12 last year. 

Hudhud, also known as 03B, was formed on the afternoon of October 7, near the Andaman Islands, which leads to heavy rains in the region. The cyclone system is moving toward the west-northwest and is gaining strength. Typhoon Warning Center Joint Army United States believes that its strength could become equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane. 

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in some places, and isolated heavy rain in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts and South Odisha since Saturday night. 

The IMD said a storm surge of about 1-2 meters above the tide could flood low-lying areas in these districts at the time of landfall. Rough sea conditions have also been predicted since Saturday morning. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea and has been asked to move to a safer along the coast area.