In a significant development, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning today as a depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal gained momentum, charting a course west-northwestwards at a speed of 9 kmph over the past six hours. As of 11 pm on December 1, the center of the depression was identified at Latitude 10.3°N and Longitude 85.3°E, approximately 630 km east-southeast of Puducherry.
The storm’s current position places it at 630 km east-southeast of Chennai, 740 km southeast of Nellore, 810 km southeast of Bapatla, and 800 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, according to the latest IMD bulletin. The system is anticipated to continue its west-northwestward trajectory, intensifying into a Deep Depression within the next 12 hours and evolving into a Cyclonic Storm named ‘Michaung’ over the Southwest Bay of Bengal by December 3.
Projections from meteorological forecasts indicate that the cyclonic disturbance will shift northwestwards, reaching the vicinity of south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by the forenoon of December 4. The system is expected to move nearly northwards, running parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with a projected landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of December 5. At that time, the Cyclonic Storm is expected to have a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 100 kmph.
Responding to the impending threat, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted a review meeting on Friday with 12 district administration heads. The meeting addressed the likelihood of heavy rainfall affecting various districts of Tamil Nadu over the next 2-3 days. Stalin issued appropriate guidelines and instructed all concerned officials to take precautionary measures, including the evacuation of residents from areas deemed vulnerable to the impending cyclone.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, on Friday reviewed the preparedness of state governments and central ministries and departments for the impending cyclone ‘Michaung’ in the Bay of Bengal. As coastal regions brace for the impact, authorities are on high alert, implementing measures to ensure the safety of residents and minimize potential damage from the approaching Cyclonic Storm.
