A severe cyclonic storm, which lay centred 80km south of Machilipatnam on Monday evening, is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast around midnight somewhere between Guntur and Krishna districts.

State Relief Commissioner Ashutosh Mishra told rediff.com that authorities in the south coastal districts have been told to take precautionary measures. "Nellore district is out of danger now," he added.

Hyderabad Meteorological Centre director C V V Bhadram told rediff.com that gales with wind speeds of 100 to 120 km per hour are likely to lash the south coastal region of the state. Storm surges (tidal waves) - one to two metres high -- are likely at the point where the cyclonic storm will cross the coast.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, West and East Godavari districts as well as in the interior districts of Khammam and Warangal.

District authorities in Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna evacuated thousands of people living in vulnerable areas to safer places.