Bay of Bengal system may become cyclone by October 26

A low-pressure area formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on October 23, and the India Meteorological Department forecast it could develop into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26. The department said the system formed at about 5:30 a.m. and was likely to remain over the same area before strengthening into a depression on October 24. It forecast that the system would move west-northwestward, become a deep depression on October 25, and reach cyclonic-storm intensity over the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26. The IMD said the system was then likely to continue moving toward the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the following two days. That projected track is a forecast, not a confirmed landfall location. The system’s eventual strength and movement will depend on how it develops. Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state had begun precautionary preparations in response to the forecast. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority also advised residents and farmers to take precautions and urged fishermen at sea to return to shore. The IMD separately advised...