Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 19

The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has confirmed that a low pressure area will develop into a cyclonic storm "Yaas" and reach the West Bengal – Odisha coasts around May 26 evening.

The weather office said the Southwest monsoon is very likely to advance over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around May 21, in association with the likely strengthening and deepening of southwesterly winds over the region.

Other atmospheric and oceanic conditions like conducive environment for convection, Sea surface temperatures are also remaining favourable for persistent cloudiness over Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of east central and southeast Bay of Bengal around May 22.

Hence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal around May 22.

It is very likely to intensify gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during the subsequent 72 hours. Called Yash, the cyclone is very likely to move northwestwards and reach West Bengal – Odisha coasts around May 26 evening, it added

Andaman and Nicobar Islands can expect light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on May 22 and 23, it said

Odisha – West Bengal and adjoining Assam and Meghalaya will experience light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely to commence from 25th evening with significant increase in spatial extension and intensity subsequently. Squally wind speed reaching 40–50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over southeast Bay of Bengal & south Andaman Sea from May 21 onwards in association with the likely advance of southwest monsoon.

Squally wind speed reaching 45–55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to prevail over Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal on May 23. It is very likely to increase becoming 50–60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from May 23 and further becoming Gale wind speed during May 24 -26 over major parts of central Bay of Bengal and into north Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha – West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts during May 25– 27

Sea conditions will be rough to very rough over southeast Bay of Bengal & south Andaman Sea from 21st May onwards. Sea conditions will be rough to very rough over Andaman Sea & adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal on May 23. High to very high over major parts of central Bay of Bengal during May 24 and 26 and into north Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha – West Bengal coasts during May 26 and 27.