The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a cyclonic circulation has developed over the Bay of Bengal, with the system expected to intensify from November 21.
According to the IMD, heavy to very heavy rain measuring between 7 and 20 cm is likely at one or two locations in Nicobar, while Andaman may receive heavy showers ranging from 7 to 11 cm. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph and lightning are also expected over parts of the islands on November 24 and 25.
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Sea conditions in the Andaman Sea are forecast to turn squally, with surface wind speeds between 35–45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph.
Cyclone May Be Named ‘Senyar’
If the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Senyar. The name, meaning “lion,” was submitted by the United Arab Emirates as part of the pre-approved list of cyclone names for the North Indian Ocean region. The same naming protocol was used for Cyclone Montha, which recently affected Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named from a list curated by member nations of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
Fishermen, Tourists Advised to Avoid Sea
With conditions expected to worsen, authorities have advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the Andaman Sea until November 23. “Local Cautionary Signal-3 has been issued at Port Blair Port,” an official said.
Tourists, local residents, and boat owners have been urged to exercise extreme caution due to the likelihood of surging waves. Recreational activities should be undertaken with care, officials said.
The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) has warned that inter-island vessel schedules may be altered depending on sea conditions. “We may be forced to suspend or cancel mainland or inter-island sailings at short notice,” a senior DSS official stated, emphasising that passenger safety remains the top priority.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
