The weather system is expected to strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Cyclone warning signals have reportedly been hoisted at nine ports across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression.
The weather department further added that the system is likely to reach the westcentral Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of October 28. The warning signals have been hoisted at ports including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi, as authorities prepare for worsening weather conditions, reported news agency ANI. Meanwhile, Puducherry and its neighbouring areas have been receiving continuous rainfall since Saturday night, with the northeast monsoon remaining active in the region. Even as the weather system develops over the Bay of Bengal, continuous rainfall has already affected several parts of Puducherry since Saturday night.
The weather department said the depression is likely to initially move southwards and intensify into a deep depression before gradually turning west-northwestwards later on Sunday.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue across Puducherry, Karaikal and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu, according to the weather forecast.
