Low Pressure To Intensity Into Cyclonic Storm Over Bay Of Bengal Around Dec 1: IMD

Bhubaneswar: The low-pressure area, which formed over south Andaman Sea and adjoining Malacca Strait around 8.30 am on Monday, is likely to intensify into a a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal around December 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.

“Under the influence of yesterday’s cyclonic circulation over South Andaman Sea and adjoining south Thailand, a low pressure area formed over south Andaman Sea & adjoining Malacca Strait at 8.30 am. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a Depression over southeast Bay of Bengal around November 29. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal during subsequent 48 hours,” it said.

The weather agency, however, is yet to make any prediction on its likely movement toward the coast and landfall.

If the system intensify into a cyclone, it will be called Michaung, a name suggested by Myanmar. It will be the sixth such event forming in the Indian Ocean this year, compared to the customary four cyclones that occur in most years, and the fourth in the Bay of Bengal.

Senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls had earlier tweeted: “A tropical low is crossing the Malay Peninsula toward the Andaman Sea & can become a depression in the Bay of Bengal around midweek. Good chance to become Cyclonic Storm Michaung before threatening eastern India or Bangladesh next weekend or early the following week.”

On November 17, a low-intensity cyclone named Midhili had crossed Bangladesh coast with “weak” winds, but caused significant harm, killing at least seven people and destroying scores of homes.