Chennai: The ‘Arnab’ cyclone currently prevailing over the central-west Bay of Bengal is moving further northwest and is expected to cross the coast tomorrow (Oct. 28) forenoon as a very severe cyclonic storm between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam along the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast. At that time, the Meteorological Department has warned that strong gale-force winds of up to 140 kmph may blow.
According to a press release issued by V.R. Durai, senior official and scientist at the Chennai Meteorological Centre: On Oct. 26, the cyclone (Arnab) that prevailed over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward and intensified, and by 5:30 p.m. it was located over the west-central Bay of Bengal as a severe cyclone.
It moved west-northwestward and intensified, and by 11:30 p.m. it was located over the same areas as a very severe cyclone. It further moved west-northwestward and, by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 27), is prevailing over the west-central Bay of Bengal as a very severe cyclone.
It will move west-northwestward until Tuesday evening. After that, it will move further northwestward and may cross the coast as a very severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday morning (Oct. 28) over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coastal areas, near Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
A trough of low pressure extends from the southwest Bay of Bengal area off the Sri Lankan coastal regions up to the center of Cyclone 'Arnab', to a height of about 3.1 km.
As a result, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder may occur at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts and in South Tamil Nadu on Tuesday (Oct. 27).
On Oct. 28, light to moderate rain may occur at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts. Light rain may occur at one or two places in South Tamil Nadu. On Oct. 29 and 30, light rain may occur at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts and South Tamil Nadu.
On Oct. 31, light rain may occur at one or two places in Tamil Nadu, and in Puducherry and Karaikal. From Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, dry weather may prevail at one or two places in the rest of Tamil Nadu, and in Puducherry and Karaikal.
On Nov. 1 and 2, light to moderate rain may occur at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts and in northern Tamil Nadu, and in Puducherry and Karaikal areas. Light rain may occur at one or two places in the rest of Tamil Nadu. In Chennai and suburban areas, the sky will be partly cloudy on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Warning for fishermen:
Due to the cyclone, strong gale winds will blow along the northern Tamil Nadu coastal areas at speeds of 40 to 50 kmph until Oct. 28, and over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal areas on the above dates at speeds of 115 to 125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph at times.
Similarly, strong gale-force winds may blow over the Andaman Sea region until Oct. 30 and over the Andhra coastal areas until Oct. 29. Therefore, fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas on the above dates.
