Cyclone alert issued for Andaman and Nicobar Islands: IMD

Port Blair (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a ‘Cyclone Alert’ for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following the formation of a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify from November 4, officials said.

A senior IMD official said a low-pressure area began forming over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining Myanmar coast at 8.30 am on November 2.

"The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move north and then northwestwards along and off the Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts during the next 48 hours," the official said.

The department warned of squally weather with surface wind speeds reaching 55 kmph over the North Andaman Sea. "The system is likely to intensify from Novemb