A cyclone brewing in the Andaman Sea is bringing heavy rainfall and storms to various parts of India, with widespread rain impacting West Bengal and Bengaluru. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for more pre-monsoon showers, especially in the southern states and coastal regions, as conditions continue to develop. The cyclone, expected to form between May 16 and 22, could intensify into a powerful storm named “Shakti” by late May.
On Wednesday morning, West Bengal experienced intense rainfall and thunderstorms, which uprooted trees and caused significant power outages in several areas. Kolkata, the state capital, faced light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms, as weather officials predicted cloudy skies throughout the day. Videos from Bengaluru showed severe rain on Tuesday, causing knee-deep waterlogging across the city and disrupting daily activities. As the monsoon advances, this heavy rain is expected to continue over the coming days, with areas like Kerala and parts of the Bay of Bengal likely to experience more rainfall by the end of the month.
The IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon has already reached parts of the south Bay of Bengal, including the Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands. The agency forecasts that the monsoon will continue to advance into new regions, including the Maldives, the south Arabian Sea, and more areas of the Bay of Bengal. By May 27, Kerala is expected to experience the onset of the primary monsoon system, earlier than usual.
Forecasters have identified a cyclonic circulation over the Andaman Sea at altitudes between 1.5 km and 7.6 km above sea level, which could lead to the development of a low-pressure system. This system may intensify into Cyclone Shakti between May 23 and 28, raising concerns for coastal regions that may be directly affected.
In Karnataka, authorities have issued a yellow alert across the state, particularly warning of pre-monsoon showers that could last until May 16. With heavy rainfall expected across different regions, major airports, including Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, and Mangalore International Airport, may experience disruptions. Residents are urged to stay updated on weather advisories and take necessary precautions against potential flooding and storm damage.
