After Cyclone Helen, Cyclone Lehar To Hit AP?

Even before the impact of the severe cyclonic storm Helen could be analysed, another depression, now situated 450 km south-east of Port Blair, is likely to develop and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by November 27 midnight or by November 28 morning.

If the predicted "severe" cyclonic storm does hit, it will be called "Lehar", officials at the Meteorological Department said.

On the Asian circuit, India was given the turn to name the cyclone, from the list of assigned names.

Phailin was named by Thailand and Helen by Bangladesh.

"It is very likely that this depression will intensify into a cyclonic storm. According to our preliminary report it will have the same impact as Helen and will affect the Kakinada coast," informed S V S S Ramakrishna, head of department, Department of Meteorology and Oceanology, Andhra University.

"November is the "peak" month for tropical cyclones, and the situation is very favourable for the formation of systems," he said.

M Narsimha Rao, assistant meteorologist at the Meteorological Centre, Hyderabad said that compared to the Arabian Sea, the frequency of the formation of systems is more in the Bay of Bengal.

"October to December is the post-monsoon period which is also one of the reasons," he added.