The Andaman and Nicobar islands will witness squally weather and heavy rainfall starting early next week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
The Met office said that a low-pressure area had developed over south Andaman Sea near the Strait of Malacca. “It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by November 22 and lay over southeast Bay of Bengal. The system will continue to move west-northwestwards and further intensify and prevail over southwest Bay of Bengal till about November 26,” the IMD said.
As the IMD has also indicated further intensification of the system, weather experts are not ruling out the development of a cyclone around November 26.
As the system approaches, moderate intensity rainfall will prevail along the islands till Sunday. Thereafter, the Nicobar islands will experience an increase in rainfall activity with the IMD warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (105 to 204 mm in 24 hours) on November 24 and 25.
Fishermen have been warned against venturing into Andaman Sea and southwest Bay of Bengal till November 25 and along the southeast Bay of Bengal till November 28. Squally weather with winds with speeds reaching 35 to 45 km/hr, gusting to 55 km/hr, is likely to prevail till Sunday. With the system intensifying, wind speeds will gradually increase and are likely to reach up to 65 km/hr on November 25.