NEW DELHI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- India's Meteorological department said on Thursday that a low pressure system south of Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a cyclonic storm.
"A well low pressure area lies over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify into a depression during the next 24 hours over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal and into a Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 24 hours over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean," the Meteorological department said in a statement.
"It is very likely to move northwestwards along and off east coast of Sri Lanka near north Tamil Nadu coast on 30th April 2019."
According to officials If it develops into a cyclone, there is a possibility that it can cause damage on the coast of Tamil Nadu, besides bringing heavy rains in Kerala and Karnataka.
The Meteorological department said squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on Thursday.
"It would gradually increase becoming squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal on 26th; gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean on 27th; 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean and along and off Sri Lanka coast on 28th and 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal, along and off Sri Lanka coast and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast on 29th," the statement said.
The department said sea condition is likely to remain rough over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, off Sri Lanka, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Thursday until April 30.
The fishermen in these areas have been asked not to venture inside sea during this period.
