Bay low now well-marked, may turn into a cyclone in 48-72 hours

The low over the south Bay of Bengal has intensified further into a well-marked low. The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) said the system may gradually gain more strength and turn into a depression and later into a cyclone.

The organisation said the system over the sea moved slightly northwards and turned into a well-marked low over the south Bay of Bengal on Saturday (14 November) morning. BWOT gave the information on Saturday.

According to BWOT, the maximum sustained wind speed within 50 kilometres of the well-marked low's centre has been recorded at up to 35 kilometres per hour, rising to 45 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls.

The organisation said that from its current position it may move north and north-northwestwards and intensify further. It may turn into a depression within the next 24 hours and into a deep depression within the following 24 to 36 hours, BWOT said.

There is also a fear that within the next 48 to 72 hours it may strengthen further and turn into a cyclone, the organisation said.

BWOT added that whether or not this system directly hits the Bangladesh coast, its indirect influence is likely to bring widespread rain to different regions of the country between 18 and 22 November.