AP Braces for Cyclone, Odisha Issues Red Alerts, 9 TN Ports on Alert
According to the IMD, the system is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around forenoon on October 28
Nagapattinam: Cyclone warning signals have begun at nine ports, including Chennai, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, after a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression.
In a post on X, the IMD said the low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal had intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area and lay over the east-central Bay of Bengal at 5:30 am IST on October 24. According to the IMD, the system is projected to remain over the same region and intensify into a depression on October 24. It is then projected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression on October 25, followed by a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26.
The weather agency further stated that the system is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify further before reaching the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of October 28. The IMD issued the update in its Special Message No. 3, based on observations recorded at 5:30 am IST on October 24.
Speaking to a reporter on Friday, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra outlined the step-by-step intensification timeline, noting that the system is expected to approach the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts by late October. “A low-pressure area has formed over east central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal this morning. It is likely to concentrate into a depression on the 24th, a deep depression on the 25th, and a cyclonic storm on the 26th morning over the west-central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it will move west-northwestwards and reach near North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coast around 28th early morning. Under its influence, at present, wind speed is about 35 to 45 kilometres per hour, gusting to 55 kilometres per hour over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal,” Mohapatra told ANI.
Andhra Pradesh: According to the IMD, the system is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around forenoon on October 28. Wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are likely at the time of landfall.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain cautioned people against lowering their guard as the weather system continues to develop over the Bay of Bengal.
"The depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify further in the coming days. People should remain extremely alert," Jain said in an official release.
According to the managing director, the depression was moving southeastwards at 5 kmph and lay centred over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Sunday. It was positioned about 440 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, 880 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 980 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 1,080 km east of Machilipatnam and 1,150 km east of Bapatla.
Tamil Nadu: Cyclone warning signals have been hoisted at nine ports, including Nagapattinam, Chennai, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi. Puducherry and neighbouring areas have been experiencing continuous rainfall since Saturday night as the northeast monsoon remains active in the region. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Puducherry, Karaikal and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu, according to the weather forecast. Waterlogging has been reported in several parts of Puducherry, particularly in urban areas such as Coast Road, Krishna Nagar and Laspet Sarum, causing inconvenience to residents.
Puducherry: Local residents have urged the Puducherry government to take immediate steps to drain the accumulated water and address the situation.
Odisha: The system is expected to make landfall around the forenoon of October 28, with the predicted landfall area around 300 km from Odisha's Gopalpur, officials said. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that although the system was forecast to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government would take no chances and remain fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. Meanwhile, the IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha for three days from October 27 to 29.
A red warning has been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts for October 28, warning of very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy downpour exceeding 20 cm.
The rainfall is likely to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 60-70 kmph, the IMD said. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 24.