Cyclone likely to form over Bay of Bengal, may cross Odisha-Andhra coast by October 28: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal persisted over the same region at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026. The system is being watched closely because it is likely to intensify into a cyclone and cross the southern Odisha–northern Andhra Pradesh coast by October 28, according to the IMD’s Bhubaneswar Met Centre.
A low-pressure area is an early stage in the development of weather systems over warm sea waters. If conditions remain favourable, it can intensify into a depression and later into a cyclonic storm. The IMD tracks such systems continuously and issues forecasts on their probable path, intensity and likely impact. At this stage, the forecast points to a likely movement towards the southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh coast by October 28. The exact track and strength can change as the system develops.
The IMD has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry until October 26. General moderate rainfall is expected over the next two days in Chennai and its neighbourhood. The agency has also flagged the possibility of a heavy downpour in the city on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25.
Rainfall linked to such systems can be uneven. Some places may receive short, intense spells, while others may see more consistent moderate rain. District-level forecasts and warnings are meant to help local authorities and residents prepare. Official updates are important because a low-pressure area can intensify quickly, and the location of the heaviest rain can shift.
Heavy rains lashed Tiruchi and other delta districts on Friday evening. The rain, accompanied by lightning and thunder, slowed traffic during the evening peak hours. Traffic snarls were reported in several parts of the city. Commuters faced delays as the downpour coincided with the evening rush.
A related report said schools were closed in many districts of Tamil Nadu on October 23. Such closures reflect how heavy rain can disrupt daily life, especially when it coincides with travel hours. Authorities generally take these decisions based on local conditions and forecasts.
The IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre is monitoring the Bay of Bengal system. The information available so far does not specify a single landfall point or a final intensity forecast beyond saying the system is likely to intensify into a cyclone. Cyclone forecasts are updated as new data becomes available, and readers should rely on official bulletins rather than unverified social media posts.
Residents in areas covered by the forecast should follow IMD and state disaster management updates as the system develops. Weather forecasts are revised as new observations come in, so earlier projections can change. The IMD’s warnings are updated as forecasts change, and the latest bulletin is the most reliable guide for local conditions.
