New cyclone could bring rain to south

A new cyclone is developing over the Arabian Sea, which will coexist with cyclonic storm Kyarr that has now weakened into the “very severe” category from the earlier “extremely severe” level, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The new cyclonic storm in Arabian Sea has been named ‘Maha’ (pronounced as M’maha). Once formed, this will be the fourth cyclone in Arabian Sea this year after Vayu, Hikka and Kyarr. It is probably the first time ever that the Arabian Sea has been this active but data hasn’t been verified yet, IMD officials said.

Kerala, Lakshadweep, coastal Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu will receive moderate to very heavy rainfall under the influence of the cyclone. Most of these areas have been receiving rains since October 25 because of Cyclone Kyarr.

A well-marked low pressure area had formed over Comorin Area, and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean, which had concentrated into a depression on

Wednesday. IMD on Wednesday evening said the depression was very likely to move north-westwards across Lakshadweep Islands during the next 36 hours, and then emerge into east-central Arabian Sea.

It is very likely to intensify into a deep depression in next 24 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 36 hours.

Scientists said higher sea surface temperature can be a factor but they did not attribute it directly to climate change.

“The cyclone will not cross the Indian coast. Its moving towards Oman. There is likely to be rainfall in peninsular India under its influence,” said M Mohapatra, director general of meteorology, IMD.

KERALA, LAKSHADWEEP, COASTAL KARNATAKA, COASTAL ANDHRA, TELANGANA AND TAMIL NADU WILL RECEIVE MODERATE TO VERY HEAVY RAINFALL AS A RESULT OF THE CYCLONE