After Cyclone Tauktae, IMD warns of Cyclone Yaas in the Bay of Bengal

As a remnant of Cyclone Tauktae that entered North India, bringing widespread rains to many parts of the region on Wednesday, a ''low pressure area”- a precursor to cyclonic storm- was likely to form in the eastern Bay of Bengal and the Northern Andaman Sea by 22^nd May. 

“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during subsequent 72 hours and reach Odisha West Bengal coast by 26th May,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. 

Now, these tropical cyclones are becoming fiercer, quicker, and frequent due to climate change. Generally, we see more cyclonic storms in the month of May and November, particularly in the Bay of Bengal- coinciding with the arrival and exit of the monsoon- than in the rest of the year because of increased sea surface temperatures.  

However the IMD has also predicted the arrival of the monsoon over Kerala on the 31^st of May and that's premised on the monsoon's arrival over the South Andaman Sea by the 21^st of May. 

As we have seen, Cyclone Tauktae that was first claimed as Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in the Arabian Sea to make landfall in Gujarat brought significant rainfall, as well caused considerable infrastructural damage, in Gujarat and other coastal states.  

Moreover, the south- west monsoon is now expected to advance over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around May 21^st in association with the deepening of south-westerly winds over the region. 

An advisory has been issued to fishermen as sea conditions will be rough to very rough. The IMD says winds will gain momentum becoming strong wind speed during May 24 and 26 over major parts of central Bay of Bengal, north Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha-West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between May 25 and 27.