Low-Pressure System in Bay of Bengal May Develop into Season’s First Cyclone

Visakhapatnam: The Weatherman has reported the formation of a low-pressure system over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, raising the possibility of the year’s first cyclonic storm in the North Indian Ocean basin.

According to IMD forecasts, the system could intensify into a cyclonic storm in the coming week, marking the onset of cyclone activity for the region in 2024.

While the AP coast appears to be outside the direct impact zone, the system may contribute to the advancement of the monsoon over the Andaman Sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal. The arrival of the southwest monsoon in Kerala is still on schedule, it is presumed.

"The current location of the low-pressure area is off the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh," explained S. Karuna Sagar, a scientist at IMD-Amaravati. "Our forecast indicates a northeasterly movement with its intensification into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by Friday. The system is then likely to continue its trajectory and further strengthen."

The formation of this low-pressure system raises the possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal and some north-eastern states on May 25 and 26.

Although AP is spared the potential cyclonic impact, IMD-Amaravati has issued a forecast for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph across coastal AP, Yanam, and Rayalaseema until May 26.

The southwest monsoon has exhibited further advancement in specific regions of the south Arabian Sea, the Maldives, the Comorin area, the south Bay of Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including the Andaman Sea.