Bay of Bengal low-pressure area may become cyclonic storm by November 16
Odisha and Tamil Nadu have initiated precautionary measures as a weather system develops over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
A low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a depression by November 15 and a cyclonic storm by the evening of November 16, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system began developing at 5.30 am on Friday due to atmospheric circulation over the central Andaman Sea and the nearby Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India Today reported.
In Odisha, Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government has alerted district collectors in coastal and southern regions to remain vigilant. While the IMD has not yet provided a specific impact assessment for the state, Pujari noted that precautionary measures are already underway. The minister is set to hold a review meeting with officials to discuss preparedness.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has directed the Navy, Coast Guard, and state maritime police to coordinate search and rescue operations. The Fisheries Department has prohibited fishing in the Tuticorin district until further notice. This disruption has affected more than 50,000 fishermen, with thousands of boats currently anchored at the Tuticorin harbour.
The Chennai Meteorological Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall for parts of the Western Ghats and southern Tamil Nadu starting November 15. Districts including Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari may see isolated moderate rain on November 17 and 18. The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in several Odisha districts, including Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, for November 18 and 19.