A developing Bay of Bengal cyclone could make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday, bringing winds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 145 kmph, according to weather department information reported by Anandabazar. Coastal Odisha and parts of West Bengal are also expected to feel the system’s effects, while fishing activity has been restricted from Tuesday.
The system is currently identified as a low-pressure area over the east-central and south-east Bay of Bengal. It is located about 510 kilometres north-northwest of Vijayapuram in the Andaman Islands and around 820 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, the report said.
Weather officials expect the low-pressure area to intensify into a depression before moving gradually west-northwestwards. The system is forecast to begin turning over the east-central and south-east Bay of Bengal on Sunday. By Monday morning, it could intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central and west-central parts of the Bay.
The cyclone is expected to strengthen further on Tuesday morning as it moves towards the north-west. By Wednesday morning, it may be positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast. The weather department has indicated that the system could become a very severe cyclonic storm while crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning.
At that stage, sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 115-125 kmph, with maximum gusts potentially touching 145 kmph. Such conditions could affect coastal settlements, transport links, power infrastructure and other exposed public assets, although the report does not provide a district-wise impact forecast or details of expected rainfall.
The weather department has issued advance warnings for the southern Odisha coast, the Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining areas. The developing system is also expected to influence weather conditions along the West Bengal coast, though the report does not specify the extent of rainfall, wind damage or possible storm surge in the state.
Fishing operations have been placed under restriction from Tuesday. Fishermen already at sea before the restriction were instructed to return to shore. The measure is intended to reduce the immediate risk to fishing crews as the system strengthens and moves towards the eastern coastline.
The forecast remains dependent on the system’s further intensification and movement across the Bay of Bengal. Authorities are tracking its position and strength as it progresses towards the expected landfall zone on Wednesday.
