The depression that hit the south-east Bay of Bengal has intensfied into a 'severe cyclonic' storm named 'Gaja' and is expected to move to the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu over the next 48 hours.

The MeT department has warned that the cyclone would intensify further into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ by Tuesday and is likely to move west south-westwards towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts. However, it is likely to weaken and cross the coasts of Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) and Sriharikota (Andhra) as a cyclonic storm.

“The deep depression over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a Cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’, and lay centred over east central and adjoining west central and southeast Bay of Bengal,” the IMD said.

At least 32 revenue districts under 13 districts have been put on high alert in Tamil Nadu as 'Gaja' expected to hit the state on November 15. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has directed the administration to remain vigilant and four high-level meetings have already been held to discuss preventive measures, said Tamil Nadu Minister for Disaster Management RB Udayakumar on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a cyclone alert for the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern Andhra Pradesh.

The storm is likely to gradually weaken and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15, bringing heavy rain to these places. From Thursday, heavy to very heavy rain is forecast in Tamil Nadu, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, the IMD said.

The IMD also said squalls, with wind speeds touching 65 kmph, would commence along north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Wednesday morning. “It is very likely to increase gradually, becoming a gale, with wind speeds clocking 100 kmph,” the statement said.

The MeT department has warned of rough sea conditions over north Andaman. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into south-east and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal from Sunday and those engaged in deep sea fishing have also been advised to return to the coast before November 12.

Gaja will be the second cyclone to hit the coastal area in a month after Cyclone Titli wreaked havoc in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on October 11, killing a total of 70 people. The severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds of 175 km per hour, uprooted thousands of electricity and telecommunication poles, devastated coconut and cashew orchards, and flattened standing crops.