The storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a very severe cyclone with winds gusting up to 120 km/hour over the sea. Said India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Dr M Mohapatra.
Signalling the start of the cyclone season, the weather department confirmed the formation of a low-pressure system in the southeast Bay of Bengal on Monday. The system expected to turn into a ‘depression’ on May 9 and gradually intensify into a cyclonic storm during the night of May 10.
In an exclusive interview to News18, the IMD chief said the system is likely to move north-north westwards towards the central Bay of Bengal till May 11. “It may intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm so the wind speed can be more than 120 km/hr over the central Bay of Bengal on May 11. Thereafter, its direction will change and start moving towards north-northeast, reaching near the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast.”
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have already been put on alert as the current track of the cyclone is forecasted to be very close to the islands. The weather department has warned about heavy rainfall. This may become ‘extremely heavy’ exceeding 20cm in some areas during the next three days.
IMD WARNING
As the system gains strength, the sea condition over the east-central Bay of Bengal. The Southeast Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea are also likely to worsen. IMD has sounded a warning for very rough seas. Wth wave height exceeding significantly posing a risk for any kind of marine activities in the coming days.
Fishermen have asked not to venture into the seas. Winds at 60-70 mph gusting to 80 mph may impact the Andaman Sea and the Andaman Islands on May 12. While they may reach 80-90 mph gusting to 100 mph over east-central Bay of Bengal as the cyclone moves. Some models suggest it may intensify rapidly. But this is likely to happen away from the mainland.
Far up north, the weather continues to surprise. Almost a week into May, temperatures still remain below 40℃ over major parts of the country known for its scorching summer. With rains continuing over the hilly states. Delhi recorded its coolest night in four decades with the minimum temperature plummeting to 15.8℃ on May 3.