Warning Of Third Cyclone In AP Within A Fortnight Raises Alarm
Private weather website Skymet said the system might move to the South-Central Bay of Bengal, maintaining proximity to the equatorial region.
By : KMP Patnaik
Update: 2026-11-10 13:34 GMT
Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre has warned of a cyclone hitting Andhra Pradesh around November 15.
This will be the third occurrence of a cyclone in the state. Severe Cyclone Arnab hit the coastal Andhra coast near Bapatla on October 28 with a wind speed of 150 kmph, devastating agriculture and infrastructure worth ₹4,764 crore. The Murasu cyclone of 115 kmph wind speed crossed Ongole on November 3, causing an estimated loss of ₹1,919 crore.
The successive cyclonic events have raised an important question whether the east coast is becoming increasingly vulnerable to back-to-back cyclones. It could be an unusual coincidence of atmospheric conditions too.
Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, director Dr. P.L.N. Murthy said formation of successive cyclones is nothing unusual during the months of October, November, and December.
He pointed out that in 2013, four very severe cyclonic storms – Phailin, Helen, Lehar, and Madi hit Andhra Pradesh. Helen, Lehar, and Madi occurred successively between November 19 and December 13.
“There was no El Nino in 2013. Yet, the Bay of Bengal witnessed three successive cyclones in 2013,” the CWC director told this correspondent on Tuesday.
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) former director Dr. K.S.R. Murthy said consecutive cyclones are common during the northeast monsoon, causing excessive rains in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
“However, there are speculations attributing the phenomenon to El Nino, which is causing an increase in the sea surface temperatures resulting in formation of weather systems in the Bay of Bengal,” the former NIO director stated.
Successive cyclones have become a huge challenge for the government. Farmers are having little time to drain waterlogged fields, restore damaged crops, and prepare for another spell of heavy rain.
Roads, power lines, ports, and communication networks are facing repeated damage before restoration work is completed.
Fishermen are losing working days due to repeated restrictions to fish in the sea. Successive spells of rough seas and storm surges can aggravate erosion and damage vulnerable coastal settlements.
Senior officials have asked coastal district administrations to be on alert for the third cyclone.
The successive cyclonic events have raised an important question whether the east coast is becoming increasingly vulnerable to back-to-back cyclones. It could be an unusual coincidence of atmospheric conditions too.
Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, director Dr. P.L.N. Murthy said formation of successive cyclones is nothing unusual during the months of October, November, and December.
He pointed out that in 2013, four very severe cyclonic storms – Phailin, Helen, Lehar, and Madi hit Andhra Pradesh. Helen, Lehar, and Madi occurred successively between November 19 and December 13.
“There was no El Nino in 2013. Yet, the Bay of Bengal witnessed three successive cyclones in 2013,” the CWC director told this correspondent on Tuesday.
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) former director Dr. K.S.R. Murthy said consecutive cyclones are common during the northeast monsoon, causing excessive rains in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
“However, there are speculations attributing the phenomenon to El Nino, which is causing an increase in the sea surface temperatures resulting in formation of weather systems in the Bay of Bengal,” the former NIO director stated.
Successive cyclones have become a huge challenge for the government. Farmers are having little time to drain waterlogged fields, restore damaged crops, and prepare for another spell of heavy rain.
Roads, power lines, ports, and communication networks are facing repeated damage before restoration work is completed.
Fishermen are losing working days due to repeated restrictions to fish in the sea. Successive spells of rough seas and storm surges can aggravate erosion and damage vulnerable coastal settlements.
Senior officials have asked coastal district administrations to be on alert for the third cyclone.