Andhra Pradesh coast may face severe cyclonic storm on November 17
A depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday next week, according to the IMD.
A depression in the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by November 17, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system, which was a well-marked low-pressure area on Saturday, was recorded as a depression at 05:30 am on Sunday, Telangana Today reported.
The weather system is projected to move northwestward and become a cyclonic storm over the central parts of the south and west-central Bay of Bengal on November 16. It is then predicted to reach severe cyclonic storm status on November 17.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said the storm is likely to hit the North Andhra coastal region. Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the State Disaster Management Authority and Chief Executive Officer of the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS), said North Andhra may see heavy rains and strong winds on Thursday and Friday.
Jain advised farmers and the public to take necessary precautions. This would be the third cyclonic storm to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast in 20 days, following very severe cyclonic storm Arnab on October 27 and severe cyclonic storm Murasu on November 3.
Previous cyclones caused significant damage, with Cyclone Murasu resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 1,919.59 crore and affecting 1,86,063 farmers. Losses from Cyclone Arnab were estimated at Rs 4,600 crore.