Will Cyclone ‘Montha’ Intensify? Warning Signals Raised at Nine Ports in TN and Puducherry
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Montha is likely to form within 48 hours.
- Warning signals are raised at nine ports.
- Heavy rain is expected in several districts.
- Fishermen are advised to stay out of the sea.
- Emergency teams are prepared for response.
Chennai, Oct 25 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the well-defined low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal has escalated into a depression and is expected to evolve into a cyclonic storm, named Montha, within the next 48 hours.
Consequently, cyclone warning signal number one has been activated at nine ports throughout Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as officials enhance their preparedness strategies.
The depression, which is currently positioned approximately 990 kilometers southeast of Chennai, is projected to move in a west-northwest direction and further intensify into a deep depression by Sunday.
It is anticipated to strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday, October 27, before heading towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline.
The IMD indicated that the system might make landfall between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam early next week.
Additionally, another depression has formed in the Arabian Sea and is progressing north-northwest at a rate of approximately seven kilometers per hour. It may intensify into a cyclonic storm by Sunday, according to the latest updates.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Tiruvallur, Chennai, and Ranipet districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday.
Light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning, is forecasted across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until October 28, as the northeast monsoon, which commenced on October 16, remains active.
Ports at Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Kattupalli, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Karaikal, Thoothukudi (VO Chidambaranar), and Pamban have all raised the first-level cyclone warning signal, as confirmed by port authorities. They also stated that while shipping operations are currently safe and normal, constant monitoring is in progress.
Fishermen have been strictly cautioned against venturing into the sea along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the central-west region until Monday due to rough and turbulent sea conditions.
The Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority (TNDMA) has instructed district administrations to remain vigilant, especially in coastal areas that experienced flooding and wind damage during the previous phase of monsoon rains last week.
Emergency response teams and relief centers are on standby as the weather system gains intensity over the Bay of Bengal.