Cyclonic Storm “Tej” Emerges in Southwest Arabian Sea

October 21, 2023 – A deep depression in the southwest Arabian Sea has rapidly evolved into a cyclonic storm named “Tej” (pronounced as Tej), signaling a meteorological development of significance. The storm transitioned during the past six hours as it moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 24 kmph. As of 0530 hours IST on October 21, 2023, Cyclonic Storm “Tej” centered itself over the same region, positioned at approximately 9.9°N latitude and 59.4°E longitude. It currently hovers some 670 km east-southeast of Socotra (Yemen), 980 km south-southeast of Salalah (Oman), and 1050 km east-southeast of Al Ghaidah (Yemen).

Forecasts suggest that “Tej” is poised to strengthen further, becoming a severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. Subsequently, it is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm over the next 24 hours. The projected path indicates a west-northwestward trajectory until the morning of October 22, followed by a northwestward movement until October 24, after which it will shift to a north-northwest direction. The cyclonic storm is anticipated to make landfall between Al Ghaidah (Yemen) and Salalah (Oman) in the early morning of October 25.

Formation of Low-Pressure Area in Southeast and Eastcentral Bay of Bengal

Simultaneously, a low-pressure area has emerged in the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, centered over the southeast and eastcentral Bay of Bengal as of 0530 hours IST on October 21, 2023. This system is expected to travel northwestwards and intensify into a depression over the westcentral Bay of Bengal by around October 22. Subsequently, it is projected to shift in a north-northeastward direction, heading toward the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal over the following three days. The emergence of this low-pressure area prompts heightened vigilance in these regions as meteorological conditions evolve.