The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on May 13 that the southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the south Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands, South Bay of Bengal and some parts of the north Andaman Sea.
The IMD said, “An upper air cyclonic circulation lay over Andaman Sea between 1.5 km and 7.6 km above mean sea level tilting south-westwards with height at 0300 UTC of today, 13th May, 2025.”
The IMD, in a press release on May 12, had shared that an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over northwest Uttar Pradesh and another over West Rajasthan and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels, reported Mint.
Cyclone Formation Looms
In its latest forecast, the IMD, along with regional weather experts, has also noted the presence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Andaman Sea, which may lead to the formation of a low-pressure system between May 16 and May 22.
As per reports, Bangladeshi meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Palash, suggested that this system could strengthen into a cyclone, tentatively named ‘Shakti’, sometime between May 23 and 28, ABP Bengali reported, quoting Bengal Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) sources.
However, the IMD has not yet confirmed the formation of a cyclone. If it forms, the cyclone is likely to make landfall between May 24 and 26, with coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal in India, as well as Khulna and Chattogram in Bangladesh, identified as at risk, reported Moneycontrol.
The met department also indicated that cyclonic circulation (a rotating system of winds) is currently located over northwest Uttar Pradesh, and another one is active over West Rajasthan, according to Moneycontrol. These weather patterns are responsible for rain and thunderstorms in the surrounding regions.
So far, the IMD has also issued a yellow alert in several districts of Karnataka, warning residents to expect more pre-monsoon showers until May 16. Meanwhile, the forecast for Kolkata on May 14 predicted a partly cloudy sky, with a possibility of thunderstorms and light to moderate rain in the evening.
