Deep depression intensifies into Cyclone Maarutha, to hit Myanmar coast
After sustaining the strength of deep depression for very short duration, the system in east-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm on late Saturday night.
Named as Maarutha, it is the maiden cyclone of the season to form in any Indian Sea. The cyclone is presently centered at Latitude 15.3°N and Longitude 91°E, around 325 km west-northwest of Maya Bandar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 520 km south-southwest of Kyaukpyu, Myanmar.
Moving at a speed of 26 kmph, Maarutha will continue to track north-northeastwards. It is most likely to cross Myanmar coast between Sittwe and Sandoway by the morning of April 17.
According to Skymet Weather, Maarutha is very likely to gain more strength in the next few hours but its further intensification into a severe cyclone is not likely.
Deep depression forms in Bay, cyclone in next 12 hours
After sustaining strength of depression for almost 12 hours, the system in Bay of Bengal has further intensified into a deep depression on Saturday evening.
The system is seen over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, moving at a speed of 28 kmph. The deep depression is presently centered at Latitude 13.7°N and Longitude 89.5°E, around 350 km west-northwest of Maya Bandar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 740 km south-southwest of Kyaukpyu, Myanmar. It is most likely to continue to move in north-northeast direction.
According to Skymet Weather, cloud configuration and atmospheric conditions are both favourable for the further intensification of the system into tropical cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. If this happens, it will be the first cyclone of the season in Bay of Bengal and will be named as ‘Cyclone Mora’.
But, weathermen are expecting that at the time of making landfall it would downgrade to deep depression or depression only. The weather system is likely to cross Myanmar coast between Sittwe and Sandway by forenoon of April 17.
Though any rains are ruled out over the Indian East Coast but partly cloudy sky cannot be ruled out. However, Andaman and Nicobar Islands may record rainfall over most parts, with heavy rains at few places. Squally winds with the speed of 50-60 kmph gusting up to 70 kmph are also expected during next 48 hours.
Sea conditions would be very rough along and off Andaman Islands during the next 2 days. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off Andaman Islands during next 48 hrs.
Northeastern states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could also witness some good rain and thundershowers during the next 2-3 days.
Well marked low pressure is now a depression, cyclone in next 24 hours
The system in the Bay of Bengal didn’t even last 24 hours as a well-marked low pressure area as the system has further intensified in to a depression. This system is very much far from the Indian east coast.
According to Skymet Weather Chief Meteorologist Mahesh Palawat, "The system, which is now a depression, is seen 540kms west-southwest of Mayabander in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. This system is also located 1010kms south-southwest of Kyaukpyu in Myanmar."
The weatherman further indicated that the cloud configuration and atmospheric conditions are ideal for the system to continue to gain more power. This system is very much likely to form in to a Cyclone in next 24 hours.
If the weather conditions continue to help the system in this way then the system will form in to a cyclone. And this will be the first cyclone of the season for Indian subcontinent. If it forms into a cyclone then it will called as Cyclone Mora.
With a possibility of the system hitting Myanmar, only cloudy weather will be seen over the Indian coast line. But this system will give heavy rains to the Northeastern states of India around April 16-17.
Image Credit: Deccan Chronicle
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com