The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday warned cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as a deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in next 24 hours. The end of the week is when it’s expected to make landfall on Tamil Nadu’s coast. Warmer sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal — between 28°C and 30°C — have fueled this system.
Located 310 km southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 590 km south southeast of Nagappattinam and 800 km south of Chennai, the deep depression currently lies. It is likely to go north-northwestwards at 12 kmph, bypassing Sri Lanka and move towards India. It forecast the system will intensify into a cyclone by November 27 but it could weaken slightly as it approaches the Indian coast due to cooler sea surface temperatures, IMD said.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh residents, as well as the authorities have been asked to prepare for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible coastal disruption from November 27 to 29. Winds subject to gusts of 35 knots expected near the system, and rough sea conditions along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Sri Lanka.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on November 26 and 27 and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, IMD forecasts. On November 28 and 29 rainfall will continue with reduced intensity. On November 26 and 27, light to moderate rainfall will occur over Andhra Pradesh continuing with heavy and very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 28 and 29.
The region is gearing up for possible disruptions as it is on the alert for cyclonic storm to hit at some point.
