'Mocha': Cyclone likely to skip Andhra; may hit Odisha, West Bengal

Visakhapatnam: Cyclone Mocha is likely to skip Andhra Pradesh and hit Odisha and West Bengal.

IMD said cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 7. It is likely to concentrate into a depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on May 8.

It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm while moving nearly northwards towards the central Bay of Bengal. The details of its path and intensification will be known after the formation of the low-pressure area, the IMD said the system is under constant watch and being monitored regularly.

The weathermen said that the storm could hit the shores of Odisha or Bengal as one of the possibilities with the likelihood of making a landfall on the shores of Bangladesh or Myanmar being the other options.

Most of the cyclones that were formed in the Month of May in the past made landfall in Bangladesh, the report said.

As of now, the IMD has not issued any warning of rain for Andhra Pradesh. The impact of the cyclone storm on Andhra Pradesh could be very low.

Dr Sagili Karunasagar, Scientist of IMD- Amaravati said parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region in the state witnessed light to moderate rains on Thursday. Veligandla of Prakasam district recorded 8 cm rainfall, followed by 7 cm rainfall in Peddapuram of Kakinada district, 6 cm in Palasa of Srikakulam, 5 cm rainfall each in Prathipadu, Araku Valley, Mandasa, and Tadepalligudem in the state. Parts of the state will witness thunderstorms for the next three days, he added