IMD issues alert: Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ to form over Bay of Bengal in 48 hours

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has alerted the public about the formation of a cyclonic storm named ‘Michaung’ over the Bay of Bengal. Initially, a low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea and the adjoining Strait of Malacca has now transformed into a well-marked low-pressure area, and forecasters predict its progression into a cyclonic storm within the next 48 hours.

The system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction, intensifying into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by November 30.The IMD anticipates light to moderate rainfall in the Nicobar Islands, with isolated instances of heavy to very heavy rainfall between November 29 and December 1.

The Andaman Islands are also likely to experience light to moderate rainfall, with isolated instances of very heavy rainfall on November 30. Strong winds, reaching speeds of 25-35 kmph gusting to 45 kmph, are expected over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman & Nicobar Islands on November 29.

In the southeast Bay of Bengal, squally weather with wind speeds ranging from 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is forecasted on November 30. This is expected to intensify to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph on December 1, with gale wind speeds reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph on December 2. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution and avoid specific regions during the mentioned dates.

The Odisha government has put seven coastal districts on alert as the low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a depression and later into a cyclonic storm. Additionally, the IMD has forecasted weather conditions in various regions, including rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Madhya Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, and Kerala & Mahe.