IMD Forecasts Formation of Cyclone from Low-Pressure Area Near Andamans by November 29

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday that a low-pressure area has developed near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with the potential to escalate into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal around November 29.

According to the IMD, the system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction and transform into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by November 29.

Subsequently, it may shift north-westward, intensifying into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the following 48 hours. While the agency has not yet predicted its route towards the coast and possible landfall, it has issued an orange alert for the area on November 28 and 29.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are anticipated to encounter isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) on November 28th and 29th, as per the IMD.

Earlier reports today indicated the presence of scattered to broken low and medium clouds with embedded intense to very intense convection over the South Andaman Sea. The agency also highlighted that sea conditions are likely to become moderate to rough over the South Andaman Sea and the Andaman Nicobar Islands due to these developments, with maximum sustained wind speeds estimated at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots and a central pressure of 1010 HPA.

On November 17, a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Midhili' on Friday morning. After making landfall on the Bangladesh coast, the cyclonic storm weakened into a deep depression and later transformed into a depression. This weather event led to heavy rainfall in the northeastern states of Tripura and Mizoram.

In response, the Tripura government declared a holiday for all government and private schools and Anganwadi centers in the state, and air services were significantly impacted.

Notably, 'Midhili' marked the second deep depression of the season, with the preceding cyclone, Hamoon, also moving towards the Bangladesh coast.