Low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into cyclonic storm
Why in news: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning that a low pressure area in the Southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by November 16, 2026.
The Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, predicts the system will move northwestwards toward the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts. Wind speeds are expected to reach 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph along the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 17.
Prelims pointers (3)
- BodyIMD: India Meteorological Department is the official body responsible for monitoring and reporting cyclonic activity.
- FactExpected wind speeds: 45-55 kmph with gusts up to 65 kmph along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
- FactKurnool recorded the highest maximum temperature in Andhra Pradesh at 34°C on Friday.
Mains angle
Q. Discuss the role of early warning systems and community-based disaster management in mitigating the impact of cyclonic storms on the eastern coast of India.
- Predictive accuracy: Challenges in determining exact landfall and intensity of cyclonic systems in the Bay of Bengal
- Communication gap: Risks of misinformation on social media vs official IMD advisories during extreme weather events
Keywords: cyclonic storm · early warning system · disaster management · Bay of Bengal · meteorological forecasting