Bay of Bengal Low Pressure Due Today; Depression Likely by 15 November

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects a low pressure area to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal today, Friday 13 November, and to strengthen into a depression by 15 November. IMD’s all-India bulletin of 12 November, 8.34 PM, says the system will form under an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the central Andaman Sea, move northwestwards and become a well-marked low around 14 November. IMD has not said it will become a cyclone.

Fishermen Told to Stay Ashore

The Week reports that fishermen should avoid the Andaman Sea until 16 November, parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal from 13 to 16 November, and the adjoining east-central Bay on 15 November. Tamil Nadu’s fisheries department asked fishermen on the east coast to return to shore by the night of 12 November, the report says. IMD expects squally weather with winds up to 55 km/h, gusting to 65 km/h, over parts of the southeast Bay on 15 November.

Rain Builds in the South From 14 November

IMD’s 10 November release forecast isolated to scattered rain in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema from 14 to 16 November, isolated heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on 15 and 16 November, and heavy rain in Kerala on 16 November. The Week reports that heavy rain is possible in Andaman and Nicobar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and coastal Andhra even if the system does not turn cyclonic. These forecasts depend on the track, which IMD has yet to fix.

Also read Tamil Nadu, Kerala Rain Forecast: IMD Outlook, 12-16 November

Track Update Due as the System Forms

Andhra Pradesh was hit by Cyclone Arnab in late October and Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu earlier this month, The Week notes. IPB’s Cyclone Arnab page has that background. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai is tracking the system, and IMD’s next bulletins will show whether it is classed as a well-marked low on 14 November. More forecasts are on the Weather Updates page.

Source: IMD all-India weather bulletin, 12 November and IMD press release, 10 November. Also based on reporting by The Week.

Image: PTI (file photo).