Hurricane update - 21 June

A tropical cyclone has formed off the east Indian coast. Although winds are not likely to much exceed galeforce (force 8 on the Beaufort scale), warnings have been issued by the Indian Meteorological Office, which I'd like to relay.

A depression over westcentral Bay of Bengal lies centred at 1430 hrs IST of today, the 21st June, 2007 over westcentral Bay of Bengal near Lat.16.00N and Long 84.50E, about 300 kms east-southeast of Kakinada. The System is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction and likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh coast between Narsapur and Visakhapatnam by tomorrow, the 22nd morning.   Under its influence, widespread rains with scattered heavy to very heavy falls are likely over Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamilnadu & Puducherry during next 36 hrs. Isolated extremely heavy falls (> 25 cm) are also likely over central districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the same period.   Squally winds speed reaching 50-60  kmph are likely along and off Andhra Pradesh and north Tamilnadu & Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours.   Sea condition will be very rough. Fishermen of Andhra Pradesh and north Tamilnadu/Puducherry coasts are advised not to venture into the sea.