DHAKA: The deep depression over north Andaman sea and adjoining area has moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a cyclonic named ‘Hudhud’.

It now lies over southeast bay and adjoining north Andaman sea and was centred at 12 noon on Wednesday about 1,115 kms south of Chittagong port, 1,020 kms south of Cox’s Bazar port, 1,170 kms south-southeast of Mongla port and 1,165 kms south-southeast of Payra port (near lat 12.30 n and long 92.90 e).

It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction, says a special bulletin from Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Wednesday.

According to the bulletin, maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the storm centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts/squalls.

Sea will remain very rough near the storm center, the bulletin added.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower distant cautionary signal no ‘One’ but instead hoist distant warning signal no ‘Two’.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

The bulletin has also advised the fishermen not to venture into the deep sea.

Moreover, The Economic Times from New Delhi reports that cyclone ‘Hudhud’ is heading toward north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and is set to hit the coast by October 12.

A cyclone alert has been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also a pre-cyclone watch for the north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

The cyclone's name is of Omanian origin.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a depression would move west-north-westward and intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and subsequently into a cyclonic storm.

It would cross the Andaman and Nicobar islands close to Long Island by the forenoon. Thereafter, the system would continue to move north-westward to the north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during the next 72 hours.

‘By Wednesday, we will get a better picture on where it will make a landfall, at what time etc,’ said India Meteorological Department cyclone warning division chief Mrutunjay Mohapatra.

As per climatology, October and November are peak months for the development of cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

This will be the second cyclone after ‘Nanauk’ in June dissipated over the Arabian Sea.

Under the influence of this system, heavy rainfall is expected to occur over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the next 48 hours.

BDST: 1746 HRS, OCT 08, 2014