- India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert regarding cyclonic storm ‘Maichong’, which is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around December 3.
- The cyclone is expected to hit the coast of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on the evening of December 4, bringing extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.
- The impact of the cyclone on Odisha is not clear yet, as the path and other parameters of the possible cyclone can be predicted only after the formation of the depression.
- The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from December 1 and residents of the coastal areas to take all precautions.
New Delhi: The Bay of Bengal is prone to cyclonic activity, especially during the post-monsoon season from October to December. This year, the Bay of Bengal has already witnessed three cyclones: Yaas, Gulab, and Jawad. The latest one, Jawad, formed on November 30 and weakened into a depression on December 1, bringing heavy rainfall to Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Formation and intensification of ‘Maichong’
According to the IMD, a low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal now lies as well marked Low Pressure and is likely to intensify into a depression by November 30. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression by December 1 and into a cyclonic storm by December 2. It is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Cuddalore and Nellore around the evening of December 4 as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph.
The name ‘Maichong’ was suggested by Myanmar, which means ‘jasmine’ in Burmese. If it becomes a cyclone, ‘Maichong’ will be the sixth cyclone of this year in the Indian Ocean and the fourth in the Bay of Bengal.
Rainfall and wind forecast
The IMD has predicted rainfall activity over several southern areas including Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as Odisha, which are prone to the cyclone. The rainfall forecast is as follows:
- Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on November 29 and 30 and over Nicobar Islands on December 1.
- Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on December 2 and 3 and extremely heavy falls (>204.4 mm) at isolated places on December 3 and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on December 4.
- Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on December 3 and 4 and extremely heavy falls (>204.4 mm) at isolated places on December 4.
- Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Rayalaseema and south interior Karnataka on December 3 and 4.
- Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Telangana on December 4.
The wind forecast is as follows:
- Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph very likely over South Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman Sea on November 29.
- Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea on November 29 and increase gradually becoming 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph over Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal from November 30.
- Squally wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph very likely over Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal from December 1 and increase gradually becoming 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph over Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal from December 2.
- Squally wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph is very likely along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Karaikal and south Andhra Pradesh coasts and over the Gulf of Mannar from December 3 and increase gradually thereafter.
Precautions and warnings
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from December 1 and residents of the coastal areas to take all precautions. The IMD has also issued the following warnings:
- Fishermen are advised not to venture into South Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman Sea on November 29; Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea on November 29 and 30; Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal from November 30 to December 2; Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal from December 1 to 4; and along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal and south Andhra Pradesh coasts and over Gulf of Mannar from December 3 to 5.
- Total suspension of fishing operations over Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal from December 1 to 4 and along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal and south Andhra Pradesh coasts and over the Gulf of Mannar from December 3 to 5.
- The fishermen are advised to return to the coast by November 30.
- The coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. People in affected areas to remain indoors.
- Movement in motor boats and small ships is unsafe.
