Cyclone Akvan brews over Bay of Bengal

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh is bracing for a potentially severe cyclonic storm, the third one in three weeks, as the depression over the southeast and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone on Monday and further strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm by November 18. The system, named ‘Akvan’, is likely to approach the Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the coastline around November 20, with wind speeds of 110-120 kmph at the time of landfall.

Managing director of the State Disaster Management Authority Prakhar Jain said the depression had moved north-north-westwards at 15 kmph during the past six hours. It was currently located about 960 km from Visakhapatnam, 800 km from Chennai, 620 km from Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, and 680 km from Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southern and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday and subsequently develop into a severe cyclonic storm by November 17. It is expected to strengthen further into a very severe cyclonic storm by November 18 and maintain its intensity while moving towards the Andhra coast.

According to the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, the exact landfall location and subsequent movement will become clearer after the system intensifies. Current projections indicate that it may cross the coast around November 20. An orange alert has been issued in view of the possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, particularly on November 19 and 20.

Squally winds of 40-60 kmph are expected along the coastal region until Tuesday, with wind speeds likely to increase thereafter.

At landfall, winds could reach 110-120 kmph, posing a threat to coastal infrastructure, agricultural fields and some of the vulnerable areas. The authorities have issued Local Cautionary Signal No. 1 at all Andhra Pradesh ports except Kalingapatnam. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea, while farmers and residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to take precautionary measures. Meteorologists are also monitoring the unusual sequence of weather systems over the west-central Bay of Bengal, with the present system developing amid strong northeast monsoon conditions and other atmospheric influences. Officials said its intensity, direction, and potential impact would be closely monitored, with further warnings to be issued as the forecast becomes clearer.