Gaja likely to intensify into a cyclone again, IMD says

CHENNAI: While south Tamil Nadu is recovering from the aftermath of cyclone Gaja, the weather system has now left meteorologists puzzled as it is showing signs of intensifying again into a cyclonic storm in 12 hours- this time over the Arabian Sea- and move towards Lakshadweep.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the remnant of the cyclonic storm now lies as a deep depression over the southeast Arabian Sea and moves westwards at a speed of 18kmph.

As of 8.30am Saturday, it lay centered about 40km east-southeast of Kalpeni, 150km east-southeast of Kavaratti and 180km east-southeast of Aminidivi.

“It is likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and very likely to move nearly westwards across Lakshadweep Islands during the next 24 hours,” said an IMD forecast.

On Friday, strong winds pushed the cyclonic storm over the interior parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after it made a landfall near Vedaranyam early in the morning. By evening, the storm weakened as a deep depression as it moved to the Arabian Sea.

IMD deputy director general S Balachandran said the cyclone brought heavy rainfall to seven districts of Tamil Nadu as forecast.