Bay of Bengal system likely to intensify into Cyclone Akvan by November 16

A low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the evening of November 16, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast.

If it develops into a cyclone, it will be named Akvan, a name contributed by Iran.

The IMD said the low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Friday (November 13) and remained over the same region at 8.30 am. The system is being influenced by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the central Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The system is expected to move northwestwards and become a well-marked low-pressure area by November 14. It is then likely to intensify into a depression by the morning of November 15.

The system is forecast to move north-northwestwards and strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16.

Its eventual track and landfall location are yet to be established. Some weather models indicate a possible movement towards the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.

The system is also expected to bring strong winds and rough sea conditions over parts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.

The IMD has forecast squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, over the Andaman Sea on November 13 and 14, and the southeast Bay of Bengal between November 13 and 16.

Winds may strengthen to 45-55 kmph, with gusts reaching 65 kmph, over the southwest Bay of Bengal between November 15 and 17. Similar conditions are expected over the central Bay of Bengal on November 16 and 17.