Cyclonic Storm in Bay of Bengal

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai announced that a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm soon.

About Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
Establishment & HQ: 1875, New Delhi.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
There are 6 Regional Meteorological Centres : Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur and Guwahati.
IMD Mandate:
- To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations etc.
- To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, dust storms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves.

Facts

While wind speed determines the alert issued during thunderstorms, visibility range becomes the deciding factor during foggy conditions.
In the case of a dust storm, both wind speed and visibility are taken into account when issuing an alert.