IMD forecasts heavy rain across southern India as cyclone conditions develop over Bay of Bengal

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of southern India over the next few days as a fresh low-pressure system is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal and intensify into a depression around October 25.

In a statement, IMD said an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Islands is likely to trigger the formation of a low-pressure area around October 23.

The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression around October 25 before strengthening further over the subsequent three days, it said..

Under its influence, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from October 25 to 28, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected on October 27 and 28, the weather report said.

The IMD has also forecast isolated very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26, Kerala and Mahe until October 25, and Lakshadweep until October 24.

Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Coastal Karnataka on October 23, South Interior Karnataka until October 25, and Rayalaseema on October 23 and again on October 27 and 28, it said further.

The weather department has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 23 and 24.