Low pressure area likely in Bay of Bengal, more rainfall predicted for AP

Vishakapatnam: A low pressure is likely to form over southeast Bengal this week, which might bring in more rains for Andhra Pradesh.

IMD said a cyclonic circulation is likely over southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6. “Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region on May 7. It is likely to concentrate into a depression over south-east Bay of Bengal on May 8. Thereafter, there is a possibility of its intensification into a cyclone while moving nearly north towards the central Bay of Bengal,” it said.

IMD sources said the exact details of the cyclone path and intensification would be known after the formation of a low-pressure area. “The system is under constant watch and being monitored regularly,” the sources said.

The weathermen said that the strength of the storm would be known depending on the location of the storm and existing weather conditions. “More cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea due to specific wind patterns. Although cyclones affect the entire coastal regions, the eastern coast is more prone to cyclones around May, October and November.

This will be the first cyclone to form in 2023. If it is formed, it would be called Cyclone Mocha (pronounced Moka), the name proposed by Yemen after the Red Sea port city.

Andhra Pradesh witnessed 26 per cent excess rainfall in April 2023. The total rainfall was at 27.5mm as against the normal range of 21.9mm.

However, Yanam that falls under the Puducherry Union Territory, but located geographically within AP, witnessed 247 per cent more rainfall in April, with a 61mm against the normal range of 17.6mm. Andhra Pradesh witnessed 301 per cent excess rainfall in March, 2023, at 49mm, as against the normal range of 12.2mm.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall occurred in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region on Wednesday.