Bay of Bengal May See Cyclonic Development Next Week; Odisha Coast Under Watch

A developing weather system over the Andaman Sea has raised the possibility of unsettled weather over the Bay of Bengal in the coming days, with a European weather model indicating a potential cyclone formation next week.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic circulation that was present over the North Andaman Sea on Wednesday moved west-northwestwards and was located over the sea near the Andaman Islands at 5:30 am on Thursday.

The IMD has indicated that a low-pressure area may develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around October 23. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and may gradually strengthen.

Meanwhile, the European weather model estimates a 60 per cent probability of a cyclone developing over the Bay of Bengal next week. Its projections suggest that the system could form as a low-pressure area on October 23 and intensify into a depression by October 25.

The model further indicates the possibility of the system strengthening into a deep depression on October 26 or 27 before potentially developing into a cyclone around October 28.

Initially, the weather system may travel in a west-northwestward or northwestward direction. Subsequently, it could move towards the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. A further northward movement also remains a possibility.

If the system develops along the projected lines, rainfall activity along the Odisha coast could increase between October 26 and 29.

However, the IMD has not issued any official forecast confirming cyclone formation so far. The possibility, projected intensity and eventual movement of the system will depend on its further development and subsequent meteorological assessments.