The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further intensification of a depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, with the system likely to develop into a Cyclonic Storm on November 16 and a Severe Cyclonic Storm on November 17.
According to the IMD's National Bulletin issued on November 15, the depression moved nearly northwards at a speed of around 10 kilometres per hour during the preceding three hours. At 8:30 AM, it was centred near latitude 9.3°N and longitude 86.9°E, approximately 840 kilometres east-southeast of Chennai and 1,010 kilometres south-southeast of Visakhapatnam.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal continues moving northwards.
Cyclonic Storm formation is forecast for November 16.
Severe Cyclonic Storm formation is forecast for November 17.
The system is likely to move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the following two days.
Fishermen at sea have been advised to return to the coast by November 15.
Heavy rainfall is forecast over parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The weather system is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm over the central parts of the south and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on November 16. It is subsequently forecast to become a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 17.
The system is then likely to intensify further and move northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast during the following two days.
In view of the developing weather conditions, the IMD has advised fishermen currently at sea to return to the coast by November 15. Fishermen have also been warned against venturing into affected sea areas during the specified periods.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The developing weather system could bring strong winds, rough seas and heavy rainfall to several coastal regions. Timely warnings are important for protecting fishermen, coastal communities, maritime operations and agricultural activities.
The restrictions cover the Andaman Sea and waters along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands until November 17, the southeast Bay of Bengal until November 17, the southwest Bay of Bengal from November 15 to 19, the central Bay of Bengal from November 16 to 20, and the northwest Bay of Bengal from November 19 to 20.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during November 15–17.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 18 and 19. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places on November 19 and 20, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible over north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Odisha is also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places between November 19 and 21.
The IMD has cautioned that heavy rainfall could cause waterlogging, localised flooding, traffic disruptions and damage to standing crops in affected areas.
Fishermen, coastal residents, shipping operators and local authorities have been advised to follow official weather warnings and take necessary precautions as the system develops.
