Bay of Bengal System Intensifies, May Become First Cyclone of 2026
A low-pressure area over the eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea is moving west-northwestwards and is likely to intensify into a depression on September 21 and a deep depression on September 22, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The system is expected to move towards the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, reaching near the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coasts around the morning of September 23.
The system developed under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over northern Thailand and adjoining Myanmar. While further intensification into a tropical cyclone has been indicated in earlier forecasts, the latest IMD bulletin has not yet predicted cyclonic-storm intensity or confirmed landfall.
If the system strengthens into a cyclonic storm, it would be named ‘Arnab’, a name proposed by Bangladesh.
