India, Bangladesh on alert as potential tropical system brews

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

November 1,2016; 10:32PM,EDT

 

 

A system near the Andaman and Nicobar islands will move westward across the Bay of Bengal and could become a named tropical cyclone in the coming days.
Areas from eastern India to Bangladesh should be on alert for potential impacts from this developing cyclone.
While a named cyclone is possible as early as Wednesday, impacts to land are not expected until Thursday afternoon at the earliest.

Gradual strengthening is expected through at least Friday as the storm approaches India.
Rain bands from the strengthening tropical system could lash areas from Kakinada to Kolkata on Thursday afternoon. However, any major impacts are not expected until Friday and the weekend.
A general west-northwest track is expected through Thursday keeping the potential cyclone over the open Bay of Bengal.
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A turn toward the north is forecast on Friday before a northeasterly turn over the weekend.
This track will likely keep the cyclone from making landfall until late Saturday or Sunday.
The most likely area to endure a direct landfall from the cyclone at this time is northeastern India and Bangladesh.
Residents of Kolkata and Dhaka would monitor this potential cyclone closely in the coming days and be prepared for possible impacts.
Potential impacts from this tropical threat include flooding, damaging winds, coastal storm surge and dangerous seas.