Cyclonic Circulation May Develop Over Bay Of Bengal By May 6, Can Intensify Into A Storm: IMD

The cyclonic circulation can influence the formation of a low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal by May 7, which could concentrate into a depression over the same region by May 8.

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the cyclonic circulation which may develop over southeast Bay of Bengal sometime around May 6, 2023, can eventually intensify into a cyclonic storm. India’s principal weather agency also said in a statement dated May 3, 2023 that the cyclonic circulation can influence the formation of a low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal by May 7, which could concentrate into a depression over the same region by May 8. The depression will move northwards toward central Bay of Bengal, where it is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm, the IMD said in the statement.

After the potential low-pressure area is formed, the IMD will provide the details of the storm’s path and the extent by which it intensifies. The IMD is monitoring the system over the Bay of Bengal constantly and regularly. The potential first cyclone of the year has been named 'Cyclone Mocha'.

Wind speeds may increase by May 7

The cyclonic disturbance over Bay of Bengal is likely to result in winds moving at speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, above southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas on May 7, a PTI report said. The speeds could even increase to 60 to 70 kilometres per hour. The adjoining areas can experience rough sea conditions.

Advisory issued by the IMD

The IMD has advised fishermen, small ships, boats and trawlers not to travel in and around southeast Bay of Bengal from May 7, the report said. Also, people who are already in these regions must return to safer locations before May 7.

"Some models are suggesting that it would be a cyclone. We are keeping a watch. Updates will be provided regularly," Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD, was quoted as saying in another PTI report.

Skymet Weather Services, a private Indian company that provides weather forecasting services, has said that there is very little likelihood of any tropical storm coming up in the first half of May 2023, the report stated.

There were no cyclonic storms over the Indian seas in April this year. Therefore, the year 2023 is the fourth consecutive year without a tropical storm in April.