Cyclone Akvan likely to form over Bay of Bengal by November 16
A low-pressure area in the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, according to the IMD.
A low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the evening of November 16, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system, which was a well-marked low-pressure area as of Saturday, is likely to move northwestwards and become a depression within 24 hours, reported The Federal.
The cyclone, named Akvan, follows two recent systems, Arnab and Murasu. Weather models currently show divergence regarding the landfall location. While some models suggest the system could move towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, others predict it may head towards the Tamil Nadu coast, according to reports by The New Indian Express and Deccan Herald.
VR Durai, director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre at the Regional Meteorological Centre, said current models indicate the cyclone will likely not approach the north Tamil Nadu coast and will instead move towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. He noted the exact track will only be known after the cyclone forms on November 16 evening.
The IMD has advised fishermen in affected areas to return to the coast by November 15. Squally weather is expected over the Andaman Sea, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of the Bay of Bengal, with wind speeds potentially reaching 60 kmph and squally winds of up to 80 kmph from November 17.