Days after Cyclone Arnab battered parts of the east coast, another weather system is developing over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on October 31 that a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a depression within hours and could strengthen further into a cyclonic storm by November 1.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards towards the west-central Bay of Bengal. According to the IMD, it could reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by the evening of November 2.
Fresh system forms days after Cyclone Arnab
The developing system comes shortly after Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Arnab brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, causing extensive damage.
The latest system has developed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and is being closely monitored as it moves west-northwestwards. The IMD said it was likely to first intensify into a depression before becoming a cyclonic storm.
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The India Meteorological Department has not yet forecast a specific landfall for the new system. However, its expected movement towards the Andhra Pradesh coast has prompted continued attention to weather conditions along the region.
System may strengthen by November 1
According to the IMD’s latest assessment, the well-marked low-pressure area was expected to concentrate into a depression within six hours and then intensify further over the following 24 hours. It was likely to move towards the west-central Bay of Bengal while strengthening.
The system is expected to be near the Andhra Pradesh coast by November 2 evening. Its exact strength and eventual track will depend on how it develops over the coming days.
Rain and rough seas expected
The developing system is also expected to influence weather conditions across parts of southern India. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until November 5, while Kerala and Mahe may receive heavy rainfall until November 4.
The weather department has also warned of rough sea conditions along the Andhra Pradesh coast. Winds of 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph, are expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema until November 1.
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Possible cyclone weaker than Arnab
While the system is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm, early forecasts indicate that it could be significantly weaker than Cyclone Arnab.
The IMD has said the possible storm could have wind speeds of around 80-90 kmph, with occasional gusts of up to 100 kmph. However, the weather department is continuing to monitor its development before making a more specific assessment of its intensity and movement.
If the system develops into a named cyclone, it is expected to be called Murasu, a name proposed by India that means “drum” in Tamil.
With the system still developing over the Bay of Bengal, authorities and residents along the Andhra Pradesh coast and other southern states are expected to follow further IMD updates as the storm’s track and intensity become clearer.