Cyclone threat looms over Bay of Bengal: Odisha braces, Tamil Nadu grounds boats

The weather office forecast a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by November 16. Odisha and Tamil Nadu activated precautions, with fishing curbs and coastal alerts.Cyclone Murasu claimed the lives of nine fishermen from Chennai’s Kasimedu after their boat capsized. (PTI photo)New Delhi,Nov 14, 2026 01:28 ISTA low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression by November 15 and further strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.With the weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu have stepped up precautionary measures, alerting district administrations and fishing communities.The system formed at 5.30 am on Friday under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the central Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands.In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the low-pressure area persisted over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 pm on November 13. It is likely to move northwestwards and become a well-marked low-pressure area on November 14 before intensifying into a depression around the morning of November 15. Thereafter, it is expected to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16.Squally weather, with wind speeds of around 50 kmph gusting up to 60 kmph, is likely over the Andaman Sea on November 13 and 14 and over the southeast Bay of Bengal between November 13 and 16. Wind speeds of 55 kmph, with gusts reaching 65 kmph, are likely over the southwest Bay of Bengal from November 15 to 17 and over the central Bay of Bengal on November 16 and 17.ODISHA ALERTS COASTAL AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTSThe Odisha government on Friday alerted district collectors in the coastal and southern parts of the state following the IMD's forecast of a possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal around November 16.Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the IMD was yet to provide a specific assessment of the system's possible impact on Odisha. However, the state government had already initiated precautionary measures."Though the IMD has not made any prediction, we have already taken precautionary measures and informed the district collectors of northern, southern and coastal regions to remain prepared and vigilant about the system brewing in the sea," Pujari told reporters.The minister is scheduled to hold a review meeting with senior officials to assess the situation and discuss preparedness.The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts on November 18 and 19.Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh during this period.For November 19 and 20, a yellow alert has been issued for heavy rainfall in Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also likely in several coastal and southern districts.The weather office has forecast squally conditions along and off the south Odisha coast on November 17, with wind speeds of 45-55 kmph and gusts reaching 65 kmph. The sea is likely to remain rough to very rough.Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the south Odisha coast on November 17.FISHING BANNED IN TUTICORIN, VIJAY REVIEWS PREPAREDNESSIn Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday directed the Coast Guard, Navy and state maritime police to ensure coordinated search and rescue operations for fishermen amid the possibility of the weather system intensifying into a cyclone.Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, Vijay stressed the need to introduce accurate vessel-tracking technologies and upgrade communication equipment on deep-sea fishing boats during the Northeast monsoon.According to an official press release, he directed officials to ensure that fishing boats and their engines were seaworthy before allowing them to venture into the sea. He also called for strict enforcement of marine laws.The IMD has forecast that the system will intensify into a depression and subsequently a cyclonic storm. Squally winds are likely over the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin areas on Friday and Saturday.The Fisheries Department has prohibited fishermen in Tuticorin district from venturing into the sea until further notice. Authorities are broadcasting warnings and asking deep-sea fishing vessels still at sea to return to shore immediately.Fishing operations have come to a standstill in coastal villages stretching from Vembar to Periyathazhai.More than 270 mechanised boats, 2,000 country boats and 5,000 fibre boats remain anchored at Tuticorin fishing harbour and along the coast, according to Fisheries Department officials. The disruption has affected the livelihoods of more than 50,000 fishermen.The review meeting comes in the aftermath of Cyclone Murasu, which claimed the lives of nine fishermen from Chennai's Kasimedu after their boat capsized.Fisheries Minister A Srinath, Public Works and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, Chief Secretary M Saikumar, Coast Guard Inspector General Yoginder Dhaka and naval officials attended the meeting.- EndsWith inputs from PTI