Port Blair, Sept 19: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a forecast of heavy rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the coming 24 hours and cautioned of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in adjoining regions.
What the IMD has said
The Met office listed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands among several coastal and peninsular areas expected to receive heavy downpours. It also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over parts of Madhya Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal over the next two days.
Marine advisory: The IMD advised fishermen not to venture into the Andaman Sea from today till next Monday. It additionally warned against fishing activity in the east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal for the next three days.
Local impact and precautions
Heavy rainfall in the islands can quickly cause road waterlogging, disruption of transport links and inconvenience to communities in low-lying and coastal settlements. Given the IMD’s specific ban on fishing in the Andaman Sea and parts of the Bay of Bengal, local fishing communities and coastal authorities should treat the advisory as a safety directive.
- Fishermen and boat operators: Do not put out to sea in the Andaman Sea until the advisory is lifted; avoid the east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal for three days.
- Coastal residents: Secure loose items and stay away from sea fronts during periods of heavy wind and rain.
- Road users: Be prepared for reduced visibility, surface water and possible temporary disruptions on unpaved and low-lying stretches.
Forecast snapshot
| Area | Expected weather | Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Heavy rainfall | Exercise caution; fishermen advisory applies |
| Madhya Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal | Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (next two days) | Be alert to local warnings |
| East-central & adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal | Unsettled; heavy spells likely (next three days) | Fishermen advised not to venture |
Practical steps for island residents
Local administration and district disaster management authorities typically issue further instructions if the situation escalates. Residents should monitor official IMD bulletins and announcements from the district administration, maintain an emergency kit with torches and essential medicines, and avoid driving through flooded stretches.
Ports and harbour authorities may restrict small-craft movement during high wind and wave conditions; travellers should check ferry and boat service notices before planning inter-island journeys.
Context
Seasonal convective activity and low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal commonly produce intense rain and thunderstorms over the islands and the adjacent coastal belt during this period. The IMD’s repeated emphasis on maritime safety highlights the heightened risk for small fishing vessels and coastal operations during strong winds and rough seas.
The IMD also provided separate local forecasts for mainland cities — for instance, it predicted a partly cloudy sky for Delhi with a maximum temperature around 33 to 35 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 23 to 25 degrees Celsius for the same period — underscoring the wide geographical span of unsettled weather over the country.
Residents and maritime operators in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are advised to follow updates from the IMD and local authorities and to treat the marine advisory as an immediate safety restriction.
