As anxiety over frequent earthquakes grips the country, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a fresh warning: a cyclone may be brewing in the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Met Office, a well-marked low-pressure area has developed over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining regions. It is expected to move west-northwestward and intensify further, potentially becoming a low pressure system by Monday. From there, it could strengthen into a deep depression and eventually turn into a cyclone.

Speaking to News on Sunday, November 23, evening, meteorologist Dr Omar Farooq said the system has a “high possibility” of developing into a cyclone. “It will transform into a low-pressure area tomorrow. As a result, rain may occur across the country by the end of the month,” he added.

When asked about a possible landfall location, Dr Farooq said the system could move towards Odisha or Andhra Pradesh in India, or even Chittagong in Bangladesh. “In that case, both India and Bangladesh may come under impact. Once it turns into a deep depression, we will be able to say more with certainty,” he noted.

Weather researcher Mostafa Kamal Palash also warned on Facebook that there is a strong possibility of cyclone formation in the Bay. He wrote that the existing low-pressure system may gradually evolve into a deep depression and then a cyclone, potentially making landfall anywhere between Andhra Pradesh and the Chittagong coast, depending on its trajectory.

If the system intensifies, light to moderate rainfall is likely across Bangladesh from November 30 to December 5.