Depression over Bay of Bengal may cause untimely rain across Myanmar and strong winds in some places, said Assistant Director Hla Tun from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).

“According to our forecast, Myanmar will have three rainy days due to the storm and it may be longer depending on the existence of the storm. Some areas may face strong winds but it will only be 20 or 25 mph. Some output models have hinted that the deep depression may intensify into a cyclone. It is likely to enter into India,” he said.

According to the observations made at 11:30 am on December 13, the low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean has intensified into a depression and now lies over the Southeast Bay of Bengal. It is centered at about 635 miles Southeast of Chennai (India), about 730 miles Southeast of Machilipatnam and about 460 miles South-Southeast of Triconmalee (Sri Lanka). It is not moving towards Myanmar coasts, the present stage of the deep depression is coded yellow stage.

Deep depression is located at Latitude 7.6° N and Longitude 88° E, centre pressure of the deep depression is 1006 hectopascal and maximum wind speed near the center is 35 miles per hour.

It is forecast to move northwestwards and it may further intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours.

Rain or thundershowers are likely to be isolated in lower Sagaing and Taninthayi regions, Chin, Kayin and Mon states, scattered to fairly widespread in Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions, Shan, Rakhine and Kayah states within next 72 hours commencing today morning.

Squalls with moderate to rough seas are likely at time off and along Myanmar Coasts. Surface wind speed in squalls may reach 30-35 mph. Wave height will be about 6 - 9 feet in off and along Myanmar coasts.

Offshore and inshore trawlers, vessels and ships off and along Myanmar coasts should be aware of the storm, alerted the DMH.