As the country reels from nationwide panic following a series of earthquakes, the weather office has now signaled the possible formation of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

According to the forecast, a well-marked low-pressure area persists over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining regions. It is expected to move west-northwestward, intensify further, and develop into a low-pressure system by Monday.

It may then strengthen into a deep depression and eventually turn into a cyclonic storm.

Meteorologist Dr Omar Faruq on Sunday said, “The existing well-marked low has a strong possibility of developing into a cyclone. By tomorrow, it will turn into a low-pressure system.”

Asked about the potential landfall location, he said the system could strike anywhere between India’s Odisha or Andhra Pradesh coast and Bangladesh’s Chattogram coastline. “Both India and Bangladesh may come under its impact. Once it becomes a deep depression, we can predict its landfall more accurately.”

Weather researcher Mostofa Kamal Polash wrote on his personal Facebook profile that conditions are favorable for the formation of a cyclonic storm in the Bay. The current low could progress through all stages—low, depression, deep depression, and eventually a full-fledged cyclone.

Based on recent forecasts, the possible cyclone may make landfall along any coastal stretch between Andhra Pradesh and Chattogram, he noted. Due to the system’s influence, Bangladesh could experience light to moderate rainfall between 30 November and 5 December.