Cyclone Senyar formed, IMD warns landfall imminent today.
Deep depression strengthens into Cyclone Senyar, warns IMD.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday confirmed that a deep depression over the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, has intensified into a cyclonic storm named ‘Senyar’. The agency has warned that the storm is likely to make landfall along the Indonesian coast this afternoon, prompting authorities and residents in the region to stay alert.
Cyclone ‘Senyar’ has developed from a system that initially began as a deep depression over the Strait of Malacca. According to the IMD, the system moved nearly westwards in the past six hours at a speed of approximately 10 kmph before gaining strength and transforming into a cyclonic storm. By 5:30 am IST on 26 November, the storm was centered over the Strait of Malacca and adjoining areas of Northeast Indonesia. The IMD highlighted that the Strait of Malacca is a key maritime passage, linking the Andaman Sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean to the South China Sea in the western Pacific Ocean, and plays a vital role in regional weather patterns.
The IMD’s latest bulletin noted that Cyclone ‘Senyar’ is expected to maintain its intensity over the next 24 hours. The storm is forecast to move almost westwards and is likely to cross the Indonesian coast by Wednesday afternoon. Following landfall, it is expected to initially move west-southwestwards before recurve eastwards over the subsequent 48 hours. Residents along the Indonesian coastline are being urged to take precautionary measures and stay informed through official updates. The IMD also emphasized that shipping and fishing activities in the region should remain suspended until the storm passes.
Meanwhile, the IMD has also been closely monitoring another developing weather system over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of south Sri Lanka and the Equatorial Indian Ocean. This low-pressure area has intensified into a “well-marked low-pressure area” and is very likely to move north-northwestwards over the next 24 hours. Forecasters expect it to further intensify into a depression, bringing heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The department has urged residents in these states to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into low-lying areas and waterlogged regions until the system stabilizes.
The simultaneous development of two distinct weather systems—Cyclone Senyar in the Strait of Malacca and the potential depression in the Bay of Bengal—highlights the complex and interconnected nature of monsoon and tropical weather in the Indian Ocean region. Meteorologists have been tracking the systems closely, noting that changes in wind patterns, sea surface temperatures, and regional humidity levels have contributed to their intensification. While Cyclone Senyar poses an immediate threat to parts of Indonesia, the Bay of Bengal system underscores the need for preparedness in southern Indian states that may experience heavy rainfall and localized flooding.
The IMD has been regularly updating the public through bulletins and posts on social media platforms like X, providing hourly updates on storm location, wind speed, movement trajectory, and expected impact. These advisories serve not only to warn the public but also to guide local authorities in taking timely action, including evacuation, closure of schools, and suspension of transport services in vulnerable areas.
Cyclone Senyar’s progression is a reminder of the unpredictability of tropical storms and the critical role of meteorological monitoring. Even though the storm is currently centered over the Strait of Malacca, its movement and intensity can change rapidly, necessitating constant observation. Residents in Indonesia and surrounding areas are advised to stay indoors, stock essential supplies, and follow official instructions. Similarly, communities in southern India are preparing for heavy rains associated with the developing Bay of Bengal depression, which could impact agriculture, transportation, and day-to-day activities.
As weather systems like Cyclone Senyar and the Bay of Bengal depression intensify, meteorologists stress the importance of awareness, preparedness, and cooperation between authorities and citizens. The IMD continues to closely monitor both systems, issuing timely updates to ensure that communities are safe and well-informed. While natural forces like these storms are beyond human control, careful planning, adherence to advisories, and proactive measures can significantly reduce their impact.
In summary, as Cyclone Senyar heads toward Indonesia and another low-pressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal, vigilance, preparation, and timely action remain the best tools for protecting life and property. The IMD’s continuous monitoring and communication play a vital role in helping people navigate these challenging weather conditions, emphasizing the need for awareness and collective responsibility in the face of nature’s power.