Cyclone Michaung Alert: India Meteorological Department Issues Pre-Cyclone Watch

New Delhi, December 1, 2023: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a pre-cyclone watch as a well-marked low-pressure area concentrates into a depression over the Southeast adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal. The IMD’s latest bulletin reveals that the system, having moved west-northwestwards in the past 12 hours, is expected to intensify into a deep depression by December 2nd and further evolve into Cyclonic Storm Michaung over the Southwest Bay of Bengal around December 3rd.

Cyclone Michaung – Projected Track & Intensity:

• Date/Time (IST): 01.12.23/0530 Position (Lat. 0N/long. 0E): 9.1/86.4 Maximum Sustained Surface Wind Speed (Kmph): 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph Category of Cyclonic Disturbance: Depression
• Date/Time (IST): 04.12.23/1730 Position (Lat. 14.4/long. 80.3) Maximum Sustained Surface Wind Speed (Kmph): 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph Category of Cyclonic Disturbance: Cyclonic Storm

Warnings:

• Rainfall Warning:
  • Light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall expected over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on December 1st.
  • North Coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall from December 2nd to 4th, and isolated very heavy rainfall on December 3rd-4th.
  • Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on December 3rd-5th. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely on December 5th.
  • Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall on December 4th and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on December 5th.
  • Rayalaseema: Light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall on December 3rd-4th.
• Wind Warning:
  • Squally weather in Southeast Bay of Bengal during December 1st-2nd.
  • Squally wind speeds over Southwest Bay of Bengal, along & off north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coasts, Westcentral Bay of Bengal, and along & off south Andhra Pradesh Coast from December 2nd, gradually increasing to Gale Wind speed from December 3rd.
• Sea Condition:
  • Rough to very rough sea condition in Southeast Bay of Bengal during December 1st-2nd.
  • Rough to very rough sea conditions over Southwest Bay of Bengal, along & off north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coasts, Westcentral Bay of Bengal, and along & off south Andhra Pradesh Coast from December 2nd, escalating to very rough to high conditions.
• Fishermen Warning:
  • Advised not to venture into specific regions from December 1st to 5th, and those at sea urged to return by December 1st.

Damage Expected & Action Suggested for Coastal Districts:

• Coastal districts of south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry may experience damage to thatched huts, tree branches, and minor disruptions to power and communication lines.
• Coastal residents are advised to suspend fishing operations, return to the coast by December 1st, and regulate shipping and onshore/offshore operations.