A deep depression over the Strait of Malacca intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Senyar’ on Wednesday and made landfall in the Indonesian coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is expected to maintain its intensity for the next 24 hours, it said.
According to posts on social media by research experts, the cyclone made landfall in Indonesia’s Sumatra. Several experts and cyclone tracking outlets on social media called this an “extremely rare” cyclone.
Meanwhile, the agency has also said that the agency has also said that a low pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of south Sri Lanka has turned into a ‘well marked low-pressure area’ and is expected to intensify into a depression.
Track live updates on Cyclone Senyar here
The IMD said in a post on X, “The cyclonic storm Senyar over Strait of Malacca and adjoining Northeast Indonesia moved west-southwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph in past 6 hours and crossed Indonesia coast…with wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90kmph…"
Notably, the Strait of Malacca connects the Andaman Sea of the northeastern Indian Ocean and the South China Sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
{{/usCountry}}Notably, the Strait of Malacca connects the Andaman Sea of the northeastern Indian Ocean and the South China Sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
{{/usCountry}}Both the weather systems have led to rainfall warnings for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Cyclone ‘Senyar’
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said that the cyclonic storm over the Strait of Malacca made landfall on the Indonesian coast and is likely to maintain its intensity until the morning of November 27.
“It is very likely to continue to move west-southwestwards and maintain the intensity of cyclonic storm till 27th early morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve eastwards with gradual weakening during subsequent 24 hours,” the IMD said in a post on X.
Gusty winds ranging from 70 kmph to 90 kmph are expected throughout Wednesday, it said.
The IMD, in its national bulletin on November 26, said light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places in Nicobar Islands with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 26 and November 27. The rain would decrease gradually from November 28 till November 29.
Rain alert in Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, a low-pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of south Sri Lanka and Equatorial Indian Ocean turned into a well-marked low-pressure area, the IMD said.
"It is very likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify into a depression during next 24 hours," it added.
The weather system is expected to bring rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Heavy rains lashed several districts across Tamil Nadu on Monday and many residential areas in the coastal Tuticorin district were inundated.
The IMD has now warned that parts of Tamil Nadu will see heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday as the depression is expected to turn into a cyclonic storm.
Thunderstorms with lightning are also very likely over Tamil Nadu between November 26 and November 29, and in Kerala and Mahe between November 26 and November 27.
Are schools and colleges closed in Tamil Nadu?
Since normal life was disrupted in parts of Tamil Nadu, schools and colleges were declared shut to ensure safety on Tuesday.
However, an official announcement is awaited for an update on schools and colleges being shut on Wednesday.