Bhubaneswar, November 15: The Andhra Pradesh coast is likely to be hit by another severe cyclonic storm on November 17. This will be the third cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast in 20 days.

Very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' had struck the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapuram on October 27 while severe cyclonic storm 'Murasu' crossed the coast between Nellore and Narasapur on November 3.

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According to the IMD, the fresh depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by November 17.

The system is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the central parts of the south and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal on November 16 and likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal on November 17.

The weather system lay centred at 8.30 AM about 630 km east of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, 690 km west-southwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 840 km east-southeast of Chennai, 1,010 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 1,130 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.

“The depression over Southeast & adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards with the speed of 10 kmph during past 03 hours,” the bulletin stated.

“It is very likely 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. Thereafter, it is likely to intensify further and move northwestwards towards Andhra Pradesh coast during subsequent 2 days,” it predicted.

Meanwhile, Odisha Government has intensified preparedness to tackle the situation. A high alert has been sounded in Ganjam district as IMD issued heavy rainfall warning for the district on November 18 and 19. District officials have been asked to remain present in their respective headquarters to tackle any eventuality.