Cyclone Akvan: Bay of Bengal Depression to Become Severe Cyclonic Storm by November 17, IMD Warns

Cyclone Akvan is taking shape over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday, November 15, 2026, that the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression at 5:30 am, and it is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on November 16 and a severe cyclonic storm by November 17. Once the system reaches cyclonic storm strength, it will be named Akvan, the third cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal within a month, after Cyclone Arnab and Cyclone Murasu.

Cyclone Akvan: Where Is the Depression Now?

In its National Bulletin No. 1, issued at 10:30 am on Sunday, the IMD said the depression was centred near latitude 9.0 degrees North and longitude 86.9 degrees East, with an estimated central pressure of about 1008 hPa. The system lay about 700 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 860 km east-southeast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, 1,040 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and 1,160 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha. The depression is moving north-northwestwards.

• Depression formed: 5:30 am IST, Sunday, November 15, 2026
• Position: near 9.0 degrees North, 86.9 degrees East, over the southeast Bay of Bengal
• Distance: about 860 km east-southeast of Chennai and 1,040 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam
• Central pressure: about 1008 hPa
• Movement: north-northwestwards, steadily intensifying

When Will Cyclone Akvan Become a Severe Cyclonic Storm?

According to the IMD, the depression is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the central parts of the south and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on November 16, and then into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 17. Squally winds of 55 to 65 kmph are already expected over the southwest and central Bay of Bengal, and the IMD has warned that wind speeds could reach 80 kmph from November 17 and stay at similar levels for the following two days. Rough sea conditions are likely across parts of the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Which Areas Will Cyclone Akvan Affect?

Rain has already begun in parts of the south. The IMD forecast rain across the north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Karaikal area, and rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours to Sunday morning in districts including Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram and Kanyakumari. In Odisha, several places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khordha, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are predicted to receive heavy rainfall on November 18, 19 and 20 as the system approaches. The IMD had issued no rainfall alert for Andhra Pradesh as of Sunday morning, with a forecast for the state expected later in the day. Fishermen and coastal communities have been advised to follow official IMD updates and warnings.

Where Will Cyclone Akvan Make Landfall?

The IMD has not announced a confirmed landfall point as of Sunday morning, and the exact track of Cyclone Akvan remains uncertain. Early indications point to the north coastal Andhra Pradesh coast around November 19 or 20, but weather models diverge over the final path, with some showing a track closer to Tamil Nadu. The track will become clearer once the system strengthens into a cyclonic storm on Monday, and coastal states are on alert while the IMD issues fresh bulletins through the day.

Cyclone Akvan Name: Why Is It Called Akvan?

The name Akvan was contributed by Iran under the regional tropical cyclone naming roster for the north Indian Ocean, and IMD bulletins spell it Akwan. If the system reaches cyclonic storm strength on Monday as forecast, Akvan will be the third cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since the northeast monsoon set in over Tamil Nadu in mid-October, following Cyclone Arnab and Cyclone Murasu earlier this month. Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole on November 3, while Arnab brought floods to Odisha at the end of October.

What Should People in Coastal Areas Do?

The main advice from the IMD is to stay updated and stay away from the sea. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea as conditions turn rough, and people in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha should watch for fresh IMD bulletins and state government advisories as the storm approaches. The next updates will confirm the track and the landfall area, and this story will be updated as the IMD releases new bulletins.