The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory warning of strong winds and rough sea conditions due to a developing weather system in the Bay of Bengal. According to the Department, the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands has intensified into a depression.

The system was centred near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 90.2°E as of 11.30 a.m. today (October 31), the Department said.

Moving west-northwestwards, the depression is highly likely to intensify into a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by around 11.30 p.m. today.

It is further expected to develop into a cyclonic storm over the southeast and adjoining southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal by around 11.30 a.m. on November 1.

The system is then expected to move towards the west-central Bay of Bengal, close to the Andhra Pradesh coast, by around 5.30 p.m. on November 2.

The Department warned that wind speeds in the sea areas falling under the 'Warning' category on the issued map could occasionally increase up to 70 kmph.

Heavy thundershowers are also possible, while the affected sea areas are expected to become very rough.

In view of these conditions, fishing and naval activities in the sea areas between 10°N and 15°N latitudes and 80°E and 90°E longitudes have been advised to be suspended until further notice.

The Department has also urged fishing and naval communities operating in these areas to move towards safer locations.