IMD Forecasts Depression in Bay of Bengal, Heavy South India Rain

The India Meteorological Department announced on November 22 that a low-pressure area has formed over the Strait of Malacca and adjoining South Andaman Sea, with expectations that it will intensify into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by November 24. This developing weather system, influenced by an upper-air cyclonic circulation, is projected to move west-northwestwards and could further strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal within the following 48 hours, prompting alerts for heavy rainfall across several southern and coastal regions of India.

The system originates from persistent cyclonic activity extending up to 5.8 kilometers above mean sea level in the central Strait of Malacca. Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS reveals scattered low and medium clouds with embedded intense convection over the south Bay of Bengal and South Andaman Sea, indicating early signs of thunderstorms consolidating. However, officials emphasized that cyclone formation remains uncertain at this stage, as the system requires additional time to develop the necessary spin and structure.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands...