Weather Alert: Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’ Expected to Develop, Coastal Areas on Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive warning as a low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining South Andaman Sea gains momentum, transforming into a well-marked low-pressure system. Forecasters anticipate this system to progress west-northwestward, intensifying gradually into a Depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by November 30. Further predictions suggest an escalation in strength, potentially evolving into a cyclonic storm named ‘Michaung’ over the Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 48 hours.
As a precautionary measure, coastal regions are advised to brace for the impact. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are likely to experience strong winds, reaching speeds of 25-35 kmph, gusting up to 45 kmph on November 29. Anticipated weather conditions include light to moderate rainfall across most areas in the Nicobar Islands, with isolated instances of heavy to very heavy rainfall from November 29 to December 1. Similar weather patterns are expected in the Andaman Islands, with isolated instances of very heavy rainfall on November 30.
The IMD’s forecast extends beyond the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, cautioning about squally weather conditions with escalating wind speeds. The Southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to witness winds ranging from 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on November 30, intensifying to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph on December 1. Gale wind speeds reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph are projected for December 2 in this region. Coastal regions have received advisories, instructing fishermen to avoid venturing into specific areas during these critical periods.
Additionally, the Odisha government has initiated precautionary measures, placing seven coastal districts on alert due to the looming threat posed by the developing weather system. The districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam have been urged to remain vigilant as the low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm.
The IMD’s forecast also extends across various regions of India, predicting scattered to fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm activity in several areas. States like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad are likely to experience such conditions from November 29-30, while Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Northwest India may also witness light rainfall during the next two days.
Similarly, other regions like West Madhya Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, and Kerala & Mahe have been advised to brace for varying degrees of rainfall and thunderstorm activity in the coming days.
Residents and authorities in these regions are urged to stay updated with further bulletins and take necessary precautions as the weather situation evolves.
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