NEW DELHI, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday that the cyclonic circulation, which developed two days back over the southeast Bay of Bengal, will continue to move.
According to the IMD, it will intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday.
"The low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea has become well marked low-pressure area over the same region today," IMD said in its weather bulletin.
"It is very likely to intensify into a depression by today evening over the same region and then into a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of east central Bay of Bengal and Andaman sea on May 10."
"To move initially north-northwestwards till May 11. Thereafter, it is likely to recurve gradually and move north-northeastwards towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts."
The weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Tuesday to Thursday.
The IMD has also predicted squally to gusty winds of varying speeds in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andaman sea, Southeast Bay of Bengal, East-central Bay of Bengal and West-central Bay of Bengal. The sea condition in these areas will also remain rough to very rough.
Fishermen, small ships, boats and trawlers have been advised not to venture into southeast and central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea from Tuesday onwards and those who are in the sea have been asked to return immediately.
Local authorities have also been advised to regulate tourism, offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Tuesday to Friday.
Meanwhile, authorities in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have sounded an alert in their coastal areas in the wake of Cyclone Mocha. ■