VISAKHAPATNAM: With wind speeds of up to 140 kmph forecast during landfall, the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
The system, to be named Cyclone Arnab, is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by early Monday, and strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27 before intensifying further.
The IMD has issued a cyclone alert with an orange message for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts.
According to the cyclone warning bulletin issued by the IMD’s Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, at 4 pm on Sunday, the system was centred over the eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, near latitude 15.1°N and longitude 91.0°E, at 11.30 am. It was located about 870 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and 960 km east-southeast of Kakinada.
The deep depression is likely to move southwestwards initially before turning west-northwestwards, and then northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Gale winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are expected along and off the coast by the morning of October 28. Wind speeds are likely to decrease after landfall.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places along the coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with extremely heavy rainfall likely at isolated places.
IMD warns of 1.5-metre storm surge near K’nada & Yanam during landfall
On October 27, extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Kakinada, BR Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru and Yanam. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Anakapalli, NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla districts.
On October 28, extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Anakapalli, Kakinada, BR Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla and Palnadu districts. Heavy rainfall is also likely to continue in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 29.
The IMD has warned that a storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying areas near Kakinada and Yanam during landfall.
The sea is expected to become high to very high along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast by the evening of October 27, and phenomenal by the morning of October 28. Conditions are likely to improve gradually after the system crosses the coast.
Squally weather, with winds of 40-50 kmph and gusts of up to 60 kmph, is likely to begin along and off the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts from the morning of October 27. Wind speeds are expected to increase through the day, reaching 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, by evening. The IMD advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.