The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on Sunday morning, November 15, 2026, that yesterday’s Well Marked Low Pressure Area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved north-northwestwards and intensified into a Depression over the Southeast and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal.
According to the IMD’s 0530 hrs IST bulletin, the system lay centred near Latitude 9.0°N and Longitude 86.9°E, placing it roughly 1,160 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 1,040 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
Current Location & 48-Hour Intensification Forecast
Meteorologists indicated that atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain favourable for rapid intensification as the system tracks north-northwestwards across the Bay of Bengal over the next two days:
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- Current Distance From Key Coastal Hubs (as of 0530 hrs IST, Nov 15):
- Port Blair (Andaman Islands): ~700 km west-southwest
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu): ~860 km east-southeast
- Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): ~1,040 km south-southeast
- Gopalpur (Odisha): ~1,160 km south-southeast
- Cyclonic Storm on November 16: The Depression is very likely to continue moving north-northwestwards and strengthen into a Cyclonic Storm over the central parts of the south and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by Monday, November 16.
- Severe Cyclonic Storm on November 17: Maintaining its north-northwestward trajectory, the weather system is projected to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
- Current Distance From Key Coastal Hubs (as of 0530 hrs IST, Nov 15):
”It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm over the central parts of south & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal on 16th November and into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal on 17th November, 2026.”
— India Meteorological Department (IMD), 0530 hrs IST Bulletin
Coastal Preparedness Underway
With the system projected to strengthen into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by November 17, coastal administrations across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have already initiated precautionary measures—including recalling fishermen from deep sea areas, inspecting cyclone shelters, and placing disaster response teams on high alert ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall and squally winds.
