A fresh cyclonic system developing over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3, prompting authorities in Odisha to order evacuations from low-lying areas and hilly terrain.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression early on Sunday, November 1, and was moving west-northwestwards towards India's eastern coastline. The system is expected to develop into a cyclonic storm and subsequently strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by November 2.
The impending storm, which will be named 'Murasu' once it intensifies into a cyclonic storm, comes days after Cyclone Arnab caused widespread heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Odisha is already undertaking relief and rescue operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, which were affected by heavy rainfall and flooding triggered by Arnab. The fresh weather system has prompted the state administration to step up preparedness and move vulnerable residents to safer locations.
IMD predicts landfall between Nellore and Narsapur
According to the weather department's latest bulletin, the system is very likely to continue moving west-northwestwards before reaching the west-central Bay of Bengal near the south Andhra Pradesh coast by the early hours of November 3.
It is expected to cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning, with sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph.
The IMD said the depression had moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph during the six hours preceding its 5.30am bulletin on Sunday.
At that time, the deep depression was centred over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, near latitude 11.5 degrees north and longitude 86.4 degrees east.
The weather system was approximately 700 km east-southeast of Chennai, 770 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 770 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 810 km east-southeast of Ongole.
The IMD had earlier indicated that the system would intensify into a deep depression by November 1, a cyclonic storm by midnight on the same day and a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2.
Odisha steps up evacuation and disaster preparedness
The Odisha government has directed the evacuation of people living in vulnerable low-lying areas and hilly terrain as authorities prepare for the possibility of further heavy rainfall.
The administration is simultaneously continuing relief and rescue operations in Ganjam and Gajapati, where the previous cyclone triggered flooding and disrupted normal life.
The fresh system is being closely monitored as the state prepares for another spell of adverse weather within days of dealing with the impact of Cyclone Arnab.
Heavy rainfall, strong winds forecast
The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh under the influence of the approaching system.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to receive isolated extremely heavy rainfall on November 2, followed by very heavy rainfall in isolated places on November 3. Rayalaseema is also likely to experience very heavy rainfall on November 2 and 3.
The weather department has additionally forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on November 3 and 4.
Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official weather advisories as the system moves closer to the coastline.
Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea until Wednesday in view of the expected deterioration in weather conditions and rough sea conditions.
The approaching storm is being closely tracked by meteorological and disaster management agencies, particularly because it follows the recent impact of Cyclone Arnab across parts of eastern and southern India.