After Arnab and Murasu, Andhra Pradesh braces for another cyclonic storm

VIJAYAWADA After bearing the brunt of Cyclones Arnab and Murasu, Andhra Pradesh is bracing for another cyclonic storm within a week. According to the latest information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, the current weather system over the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by November 18, and move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. The current weather models indicate the probability of landfall along the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 19 or 20.

The low-pressure area, formed over the south-east Bay of Bengal on November 13, intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area on Saturday. The weather system is moving northwestwards and may intensify into a depression by November 15. Thereafter, the system may strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the south and west-central Bay of Bengal around November 16, and further into a severe cyclonic storm on November 18.

The IMD has issued an isolated heavy rainfall alert for Coastal Andhra Pradesh, saying that the forecast may be updated after more clarity emerges.