‘Low’ over Bay of Bengal becomes well-marked, on way to intensify as depression by evening

Central Bay turns warmest of the tropical oceans, aids further intensification of the storm

A well-marked low-pressure area over South-East Bay of Bengal triggered the formation of a string of thunderstorms in an arc over parts of the South Peninsula and East-Central India. A cyclone is expected to develop in the Bay on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: www.meteologix.com/in

Monday’s low-pressure area over the South-East Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea intensified into being ‘well-marked’ over the same region on Tuesday morning in what could be a series of sustained rounds of intensification into cyclone Mocha by Wednesday.

By Monday midnight, the Central and South-East Bay of Bengal around the Andaman & Nicobar Islands had become the warmest of the tropical oceans around the globe.

The Central Bay was literally boiling with sea-surface temperatures of 32℃, among the highest being recorded. This will help maintain adequate supplies of fuel for the cyclone in the form of moisture from the sea.

Supporting environment

Vertical wind shear, which refers to the change in wind speed and direction with height, is neutral to favourable.

Low wind shear ensures a stable environment in which convergence of air at the lower levels is matched by divergence at the higher levels. This allows the storm tower to build and gain strength with a ‘window effect’ at the top, leading to the intensification of winds.

These are ideal conditions for cyclone evolution and intensification, with some global models indicating the evolving cyclone Mocha may reach hurricane strength (class-topping category 4/5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale of storm intensity) as it pummels the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast in the next 6-7 days along a track of approximately 700-800 km by sea.

Also read: Powerful cyclone Mocha likely to hit Myanmar as western disturbance guides its path

Landfall destination

Adjoining north-eastern States of India are also seen taking a hit as a remnant of the cyclone, on weakening after landfall, approaches the region next week. At least one model (US Naval Global Environment Model) guides the storm towards the Bangladesh coast, missing India’s West Bengal coast by a whisker.

This may amplify the impact on the Indian side of the border.

On Tuesday, the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned residents of volatile weather developing ahead of cyclone formation. It pointed to thunderclouds blooming over the Shan, Kayah, Kayin and Mon states.

Also read: ‘Developing’ El Nino may hit India’s maize, soya and rice output, says FAO

COMMENT NOW

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Weather report. Well-marked ‘low’ over Bay of Bengal may spin up as cyclone tomorrow