Kohima: A depression currently brewing in the Bay of Bengal is set to explode into a very severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department expects the system to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. Winds will howl at 115 to 125 kmph, with violent gusts hitting 140 kmph.
The system sat at 15.8°N and 90.7°E at 5:30 pm on October 24, roughly 820 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam. Forecasters anticipate a steady climb in power. It will reach deep depression status on October 25, intensify into a storm on October 26, and become a severe cyclone by the morning of October 27.
The impact stretches far beyond the impact zone. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura expect heavy rain on October 28, with thunderstorms looming from October 27 to 29. Assam and Meghalaya residents should brace for rain between October 26 and 30. Arunachal Pradesh faces scattered showers starting October 28. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana remain at risk for extreme, isolated downpours throughout the week.
The government is moving to limit the fallout. The IMD has issued strict warnings for those at sea. "The IMD has advised fishermen to return to the coast by the morning of October 24 and not venture into the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal until October 26."
Conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Strong winds and heavy rain threaten to break tree branches, destroy crops, and damage vulnerable structures. Flooding and landslides are possible. Meanwhile, a separate low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea is already hammering Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe with extreme rainfall.
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