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Chennai, Oct 25 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said the low pressure area over south-east Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 48 hours – which will be named Motha.
In response, cyclone warning signal number one has been hoisted at nine ports in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as authorities stepped up preparedness measures.
The depression is currently centered about 990 km south-east of Chennai and is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression by Sunday.
It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday, October 27, before moving towards Andhra Pradesh coast.
The IMD said the system could make landfall between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam early next week.
Meanwhile, another pressure area has formed over the Arabian Sea and is moving north-northwest at a speed of about seven kilometers per hour. According to the latest update, it may turn into a cyclonic storm by Sunday.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Tiruvallur, Chennai and Ranipet districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday.
Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal till October 28, as the north-east monsoon which arrived on October 16 remains active.
Port officials confirmed that Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Kattupalli, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Karaikal, Thoothukudi (VO Chidambaranar), and Pamban ports have all hoisted first-level cyclone warning signals. He said that at present the movement of the ship remains safe and normal, but constant monitoring is going on.
Due to rough and turbulent sea conditions, fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea off Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and mid-west coasts till Monday.
The Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority (TNDMA) has directed district administrations to remain on alert, especially in coastal areas which suffered floods and wind damage during the first phase of monsoon rains last week.
Emergency teams and relief centers have been kept on standby as the weather system intensifies over the Bay of Bengal.
–IANS
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