A depression has formed in the southeast Bay of Bengal, prompting authorities to warn all fishermen at sea to return to shore as the system is expected to intensify into a cyclone and could become a severe cyclone by 17 November, according to the weather department’s forecast reported by The Samaja.
The system developed from a cyclonic circulation in the southeast Bay of Bengal and intensified into a depression at 5.30 am on Saturday. Coastal areas have been placed on alert following the forecast, with authorities monitoring the system’s movement and changes in intensity.
The depression was located about 700 kilometres from Port Blair, 860 kilometres from Chennai, 1,040 kilometres from Visakhapatnam and approximately 1,160 kilometres from Gopalpur, the report said. These distances place the system over the open sea, but its projected intensification has led to precautionary instructions for fishing communities and coastal administrations.
All fishermen operating at sea have been warned to return to the coast by Saturday. They have also been advised not to venture into the sea until further instructions are issued. The restrictions are intended to reduce the risk to fishing crews while the weather department tracks the system’s direction and strength.
The immediate response is focused on maritime safety rather than confirmed land impacts. The report does not specify a projected landfall location, rainfall totals, wind speeds or the extent of any expected impact on particular coastal districts. Those details will depend on subsequent updates about the depression’s trajectory and intensification.
For coastal administrations, the warning places emphasis on communication with fishing communities, monitoring boats still at sea and maintaining readiness as the system develops. Fishing activity, port operations and movement along the coast may be affected if later advisories expand the warning area, although no such additional restrictions are specified in the report.
The weather department is continuing to monitor the system. Fishermen have been instructed to remain ashore until further directions are issued, while coastal authorities are expected to follow subsequent forecasts on its movement and intensity.
