Chennai: As per IMD forecast, a low pressure area is very likely to form over North Andaman Sea and adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal today.
It is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic storm in the next 72 hours. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said it has initiated extensive pre-emptive measures on Eastern coast and all the ashore, afloat and aviation units are on high alert.
The development of weather in Bay of Bengal is being closely monitored and ICG Remote Operating Stations (ROS) in the States/ UTs of Tamilnadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal as well as A&N islands are incessantly relaying weather alert messages on MMB radio at regular intervals both in English and in vernacular language to alert merchant vessels, fishing boats, fisheries survey, Scientific research vessels, Oil rigs, accommodation barges, support vessels for Offshore Development Areas (ODAs), etc., said an official statement.
Ships at anchorage have also been advised to take shelter and necessary safety measures.