An untimely low-pressure area developing in the Comorin region to the South of Sri Lanka has been engaging the attention of forecasters and disaster management experts. The projected track for its movement has an uncanny resemblance to the trail blazed by the devastating cyclone Ockhi in November last.
May lost steam
The 'low' might go on to intensify a bit and travel to the West towards Maldives-Lakshadweep. There it could likely begin to lose steam, break up into smithereens headed all way round, with some tracking towards the West Coast of India (Goa-Karnataka-North Kerala).
The genesis of the 'low' can be traced back to an easterly wave that occasionally passes the southern parts of Bay of Bengal and aiming at Sri Lanka and South Tamil Nadu. Easterly waves have in the past concentrated into low-pressure areas as in the instant case, some of which have progressed to become depressions or even cyclones.
Squally weather seen
India Met Department (IMD) forecast has warned of squally winds speeding to 50 km/hr in strength over the Comorin region off South Tamil Nadu and South Kerala coasts today. This could potentially elevate its potential equivalent to those associated with a depression, but there is no indication if the system by itself would become a depression.
Occasional thundersquall and squally winds are likely to prevail over the Comorin and Maldive areas off South Kerala and South Tamil Nadu coasts for the next two to three days. Isolated to scattered rain or thundershowers have been forecast for parts of South Peninsular and adjoining Central India between March 16 to 18.