Cyclone ‘GAJA’ to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours

The Cyclonic storm ‘GAJA’ over West central and adjoining East central & South Bay of Bengal moved west-southwestwards with a speed of 06 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of 14th November, 2018 over Westcentral and adjoining East central & South Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.1°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 540 km east of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 640 km northeast of Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu). It is likely to move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours. While moving west-southwestwards further, it is likely to weaken gradually on 15th November and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore as a Cyclonic Storm during 15th November evening.

(ii)   Wind Warning

•  Gale wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph prevails over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral & South Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over southwest & adjoining westcentral and southeast Bay of Bengal from 14^th November 2018 evening.
•     Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely to commence along & off north Tamil Nadu & Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts from 14^th November evening. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming Gale wind speed 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph along & off Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts from 15^th November morning onwards.
•      Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph very likely over interior Tamilnadu, Kerala, southeast Arabian Sea along & off Kerala coast, Comorian area, Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait on 16^th November. Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph very likely to prevail over southeast Arabian Sea and along & off Kerala coast on 17^th November.

(ii)   Sea condition

Sea condition is high over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral & South Bay of Bengal. It will become ‘very high’ over southwest and adjoining westcentral and southeast Bay of Bengal on 14^th and high over the southwest Bay of Bengal on 15^th. The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts from 14^th November evening and high on along & off Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coast on 15^th November morning onwards.