The US Navys Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) has upgraded to high the possibility of a significant tropical weather system evolving just to the southwest of Sri Lanka.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has notified the formation of a low-pressure area in the region that has gone on to become well-marked during the 24 hours ending this afternoon. The dynamics around the churn in the seas are such that the system could gain in strength, according to the JTWC.
Low values of vertical wind shear (sudden changes in wind speeds with height that kills storms) and a superior window effect on top (that allows the system to breathe and sustain itself) would go to aid the formation of a stronger weather system.
The IMD too has put out a watch for intensification of the system into a depression over Maldives and Lakshadweep by Saturday. It sees the system travelling in a northwest diretion.
The JTWC also has projected a southeast to northwest track for onward movement for the evolving system, just grazing the peninsular tip and further into southeast Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast.
The building system has already brought heavy to very heavy overnight heavy rain over many parts of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rain has been forecast for the next two days as well over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep. Fishermen have been advised against venturing iinto the rough seas off these coasts. -The Hindu