Several Indian states are slated to receive “very heavy” rainfall this week as a cyclonic storm brews in the Bay of Bengal. A well-marked low-pressure area formed in the area on Monday — with the India Meteorological Department warning that it could soon intensify into a cyclonic storm. The storm will be named Cyclone Senyar once it is formed.
“The Well-Marked low-pressure area Malaysia and adjoining Strait of Malacca on November 24. It is very likely to intensify into a depression over south Andaman Sea during next 24 hours. A low-pressure area is likely to form over Comorin and adjoining areas of southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka around November 25,” the IMD bulletin explained on Monday afternoon.
The weather department has forecast “heavy to very heavy rainfall” over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between November 25 and 29. Heavy rainfall is also very likely over Tamil Nadu from November 25 to 27, in Kerala and Mahe during November 24 to 26, Lakshadweep on November 24, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on November 29. It also predicted “very heavy rainfall” over Tamil Nadu on 24th & 28th-30th, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on 30th November.
What does the IMD forecast say?
The latest bulletin from India Meteorological Department has forecast very heavy rainfall large swathes of southern India.
- Heavy rainfall likely over Tamil Nadu during 25th-27th; Kerala & Mahe during 24th-26th, Lakshadweep on
24th, Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 25th and 29th, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on 29th November
with very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu on 24th & 28th-30th, Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 26th28th, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on 30th November. - Thunderstorm with lightning very likely over Tamil Nadu during 24th-28th, Kerala & Mahe during 24th26th, Lakshadweep on 24th, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on 27th & 28th November and over Andaman
& Nicobar Islands with gusty wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph during the next 6 days.
States begin preparing for cyclone
Several states have already begun mobilising their defences to minimise damage from the likely storm. The IMD had issued yellow and orange alerts across various districts of Tamil Nadu over the weekend — warning of ‘moderate’ to ‘light to moderate’ rain with thunderstorms in isolated places.
“We have made advance preparedness and additional measures so that the government machinery can easily tackle the system, even in case of further intensification,” said Odisha minister Suresh Pujari.
