Bay of Bengal system likely to bring rain to 13 states and UTs; orange alert for Gadchiroli on October 28

The disturbance over the Bay of Bengal for the past few hours is about to be felt in many parts of the country. Rain has been forecast in the next few hours in 10 states and 3 Union Territories. The states include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Rain has also been forecast in parts of Maharashtra over the next three days.

The change in weather is due to a low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal. The system began forming over the past few days. It is now moving west-northwest and is likely to turn into a cyclone. The possible cyclone has been named 'Arnav'.

Wind speeds have also risen because of these changes. Winds of 50 to 60 km per hour are possible in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while wind speeds over the Bay of Bengal are expected to reach 90 to 100 km per hour. Maharashtra is also likely to be affected.

Two days ago, the India Meteorological Department had forecast that parts of Maharashtra could receive rain between October 27 and 29. It had then said skies would be cloudy, particularly in Vidarbha and Marathwada, with possible light showers. According to its new forecast, however, the weather in Maharashtra may stay dry for the next two days.

A yellow alert for rain has been issued for Gadchiroli district on October 27, with wind speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour likely that day.

Rain is likely in 9 districts of Maharashtra on October 28. Gadchiroli has been given an orange alert, meaning heavy to very heavy rain is possible there that day. A yellow alert has been issued for the Kolhapur ghat area, Hingoli, Nanded, Chandrapur, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal districts. Light showers are also likely in the Konkan.

On October 29, rain is possible in Ratnagiri, the Nashik ghat area, the Pune ghat area, the Satara ghat area, and Jalna, Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Gondia districts. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for all these districts.