The Department of Meteorology has issued a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas in parts of the Bay of Bengal, urging naval and fishing communities to avoid the affected sea areas until further notice.
The warning, issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 10:00 p.m., is valid for the next 12 hours and applies particularly to multi-day fishing boats operating in deep-sea areas.
According to the Meteorology Department, a depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression at 5:30 p.m.
The system is expected to move west-northwestward while maintaining its intensity and is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast.
Winds in the areas under the red warning could reach speeds of up to 70 km/h at times, accompanied by heavy thundershowers and very rough seas.
Meanwhile, winds of 55–65 km/h and rough to very rough seas are expected in areas under the advisory category.
Naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into the sea area bounded by 07°N to 22°N latitude and 83°E to 95°E longitude until further notice.
Those already operating in the affected waters have been urged to move away from the area and remain vigilant while closely monitoring future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology.
