Cyclone Senyar: IMD predicts heavy rainfall, storm likely to form over Bay of Bengal
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A potential cyclonic storm, named Senyar, is developing over the south Bay of Bengal, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings for several states.
The system, which began as a well-marked low-pressure area, is strengthening and is expected to bring intense rain and thunderstorms in the coming days.
According to the IMD, the well-marked low-pressure area over the Strait of Malacca and the adjoining south Andaman Sea is set to intensify into a depression by November 24.
The agency noted that “Yesterday’s well-marked low-pressure area over the Strait of Malacca and adjoining south Andaman Sea lay over Malaysia and adjoining Strait of Malacca on November 24.” It is moving west-northwestwards and will likely become a depression over the South Andaman Sea within the next 24 hours.
The IMD added that the system is “very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the south Bay of Bengal” during the following 48 hours. The weather office also highlighted the presence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area and the adjoining Indian Equatorial Ocean. This is expected to generate another low-pressure area around November 25 over Comorin, the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, and Sri Lanka.
Cyclone Senyar gets its name from the United Arab Emirates. The name means “lion” and was selected from a pre-approved list of tropical cyclone names for the North Indian Ocean. The list is maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation and the UN ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
The IMD said that the upcoming storm is likely to intensify into a depression over the South Andaman Sea in the next 24 hours. It will then strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 48 hours. At present, the low-pressure area remains positioned over Malaysia and the adjoining Strait of Malacca while continuing its west-northwestward movement. The IMD has not yet issued any information on the potential landfall point.
States along India’s southeastern coast are expected to see heavy rainfall as the system moves. The IMD has issued alerts for Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu from November 25 to 27.
Kerala and Mahe may witness showers from November 24 to 26. Lakshadweep could see rain on November 24. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands may receive rain on November 25 and 29.
Very heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu on November 24 and again from November 28 to 30. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands may see very heavy rain between November 26 and 28. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to face similar conditions on November 30.
The IMD also issued warnings for thunderstorms. “Thunderstorm with lightning very likely over Tamil Nadu during Nov. 24 to 28; Kerala and Mahe during Nov. 24 to 26, and Lakshadweep on Nov. 24. Similar weather conditions are likely in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Nov. 27 and 28,” the IMD said. It added that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will experience wind speeds touching 40-50 kmph over the next six days.