World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
Bay of Bengal system may strengthen into a cyclone by October 26
A low-pressure system has formed over the Bay of Bengal and could become a cyclone by October 26, according to India’s weather department.
It is expected to move towards the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while another regional forecast says the storm may be named Arnab.
The system is forecast to strengthen from a low-pressure area into a depression and then a deep depression before becoming a cyclone.
Odisha has started precautionary preparations for the approaching weather system.
Forecasts warn of rain in parts of the region, with winds along the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts expected to reach gusts of up to 60 kmph on October 27 and strengthen afterward.
The system is forming as the northeast monsoon is active, and a Tamil Nadu forecast says heavy rain there could intensify in several districts.
Fishermen at sea have been advised to return by October 24 morning.
A low-pressure area formed over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal on October 23, 2026.
India’s Meteorological Department said the system could become a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay by the morning of October 26.
The system is forecast to move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.
The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh from October 27, while Dinamalar reported that rain could intensify in several Tamil Nadu districts.
The system has been named Arnab, according to Dinamalar, which said Bangladesh proposed the name.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department is tracking the system. People in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu could be affected by rain.
- What
- A low-pressure area could intensify into a cyclonic storm and bring heavier rain.
- When
- The low-pressure area formed on October 23, 2026. A cyclonic storm is forecast by October 26.
- Where
- The system formed over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal. It is forecast to move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.
- Why
- The system is expected to intensify and move towards the coast; Dinamalar said it could intensify rain in Tamil Nadu.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A low-pressure area formed over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal.
The system is forecast to intensify into a depression.
The system is forecast to strengthen into a deep depression and move west-northwestwards.
The system is forecast to become a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay.
The IMD issued an alert for heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
- Formation
- Low-pressure area formed at around 5.30 a.m. on October 23, 2026
- Forecast storm
- Cyclonic storm possible by the morning of October 26
- Forecast direction
- Towards north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts
- Rain alert
- Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in listed Coastal Andhra districts on October 27 and 28
- Storm name
- Arnab, proposed by Bangladesh according to Dinamalar
3 sources
What people are saying
It is most likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on 24th October, 2026.
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Under the influence of yesterday’s upper-air cyclonic circulation over Southeast and adjoining Eastcentral #Bay_of_Bengal, a low pressure area formed over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal at 0530 hours IST of today, the 23rd October, 2026. It is most likely to