The Indian Navy on Friday, December 14, 2018, put out a warning message for an upcoming cyclonic storm. The weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to become a cyclonic storm by Friday. In its wake, north coastal parts of the State, particularly Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur districts, are bound to get rainfall this weekend.

According to the Meteorological Department, the depression that lies centered over the southeast Bay of Bengal, about 1,150 km southeast of Chennai and 1,330 km of Machilipatnam, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Friday.

Here is the Navy’s statement:

Deep Depression over southeast Bay of Bengal — Update as on 9 a.m. on December 14

The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred over southeast Bay of Bengal, about 700 km east-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 960 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 1130 km southsoutheast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) at 0530 hrs IST of 14 th December, 2018). It is very likely to intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours and into a Severe Cyclonic Storm in subsequent 36 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during 17th December afternoon.

Heavy rainfall warning: Rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places likely to commence over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas of north coastal Tamil Nadu from 15th December evening. · Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls (≥ 20 cm) at isolated places likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 16 th & 17th December.

Wind warning for Sea areas: Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph prevails over southeast & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to increase gradually and become gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph by 14th December evening and 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph during 15th evening to 16th evening over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal and 80-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over westcentral and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal during 16th evening to 17th evening

Sea condition: The sea condition is very rough over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to become high from 14th December evening. The sea condition is very likely to be high over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal on 15th and high to very high over westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal on 16th & 17th December.

Fishermen Warning: The fishermen are advised not to venture into southwest & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on 14th, into southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal on 15th and westcentral & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal on 16th and 17th December. · Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to the coast.

In anticipation of the impending cyclone which is heading towards the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu, Indian Navy/ ENC has issued warnings to various District authorities and Department of fisheries in both the coastal states. Aircraft sorties were flown along the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu on 13 Dec for warning the fishermen and repeat sorties planned today also. Additionally ships at sea have been advised to warn the fishermen to return to nearest port. Ships of the Eastern Fleet with embarked HADR stores have been kept standby to respond to emergencies if required. Constant liaison being maintained with respective SDMAs.