Sri Vijaya Puram, October 26: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been placed on alert as a depression over the Bay of Bengal is forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 28, prompting authorities to warn residents against unsafe coastal activities and advise fishermen to stay away from affected waters until October 26.
The Directorate of Disaster Management issued the advisory on October 25, citing the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) assessment of the weather system, which is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected along and off the Andaman Islands before conditions gradually improve.
According to the IMD, the depression lay over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, approximately 440 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram, at 8.30 am on October 25. The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 26, a severe cyclonic storm on October 27 and a very severe cyclonic storm by October 28.
The forecast progression has prompted the disaster management authorities to urge residents to follow official weather advisories and exercise caution, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal or into waters along and off the Andaman Islands until October 26. Authorities have also asked the public to avoid tourism, recreational activities and onshore or offshore operations in accordance with official advisories and prevailing weather conditions.
Residents have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms and lightning. The disaster management directorate has specifically cautioned against taking shelter under trees or near electric poles during such conditions.
People living in low-lying and coastal locations have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with the administration’s public-safety measures as the system develops.
The IMD’s forecast indicates that the weather system is expected to strengthen over the coming days while moving towards Andhra Pradesh. The anticipated improvement in sea conditions around the Andaman Islands is expected only after the current period of rough to very rough seas.
The Directorate of Disaster Management has asked the public to rely on official updates from the IMD and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for further information as the forecast evolves.
