A developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify over the coming days, with the possibility of becoming a cyclonic storm by Monday evening.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation led to the formation of a low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday. The system is expected to move northwestwards and become a well-marked low-pressure area by Saturday, followed by the formation of a depression by Sunday morning.

It may then move north-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by Monday evening.

The storm is likely to be named Senyar if it reaches the required intensity.

Potential path remains uncertain

Current projections indicate that the weather system could move towards the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

However, its exact trajectory and potential landfall location remain uncertain at this stage. The system is still developing, and its future movement will be closely monitored.

Fishermen advised to stay away from sea

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as conditions are expected to become rough from Sunday.

Those already in deep waters have been urged to return to the coast immediately.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) is monitoring the situation and is expected to provide regular real-time updates.

Cyclone follows recent storm

The developing system comes around two weeks after Cyclone Arnab affected parts of India and made landfall as a “very severe” cyclonic storm, according to the provided report.

Five people were killed in separate incidents associated with the cyclone in Andhra Pradesh, including in Vizag, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari. The report said some deaths were caused by electrocution while others were linked to falling trees.

In Odisha, three members of a family, including a nine-month-old baby, were killed in a landslide in Kandhamal.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday launched the Jawani Sambhal cycle yatra from Chamkaur Sahib as part of the Congress’ wider political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The launch, however, was accompanied by renewed questions over unity within the Punjab Congress after former state unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was absent from the event. Congress leaders maintained that the party was united even as political rivals highlighted differences within the state unit.

The eight-day campaign, scheduled from November 12 to 19, is aimed at highlighting issues concerning Punjab’s youth, including unemployment and the drug menace. The yatra is planned to cover nearly 625 km across at least 27 Assembly constituencies.

Senior Congress leaders join Channi’s yatra

Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot flagged off the cycle rally in the presence of several senior party leaders, including newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Pargat Singh, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh and other leaders.

Channi sought to present the cycle campaign as part of the Congress’ broader programme rather than an individual initiative. The party is using the campaign to raise issues such as drugs, unemployment, gangsterism and law and order ahead of the state elections.

The absence of Raja Warring nevertheless drew attention. His non-participation came amid earlier concerns about coordination between different leaders and factions in the Punjab Congress.

Bhagwant Mann targets Channi’s cycle rally

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann mocked the campaign and questioned its purpose. He suggested that the bicycles being used in the rally should instead be distributed among poor people.

Mann claimed that around 2,000 bicycles were being used and estimated their combined value at nearly Rs. 1 crore, based on his claim that each bicycle cost around Rs. 5,000.

He also attacked Channi over the Enforcement Directorate’s seizure of cash from premises linked to his nephew and alleged that Congress leaders were engaging in political drama despite claiming to represent the poor. These were political allegations made by Mann.

BJP also questions Congress unity

Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar described the Congress campaign as an internal show of strength rather than an initiative focused on Punjab’s problems.

Jakhar contrasted the different outreach programmes being organised by Congress leaders and referred to separate factions within the party. He also criticised the use of bicycles for Channi’s campaign while alleging that other Congress leaders were planning political yatras using luxury vehicles.

The Congress, meanwhile, has continued to project unity. Pilot said the Punjab unit was moving forward together, while other senior leaders also defended the party’s coordination during the yatra launch.

Focus on Punjab youth ahead of 2027 polls

The Jawani Sambhal yatra is part of the Congress’ broader Punjab Mangda Insaaf campaign. The party plans to use the mobilisation to raise issues involving Punjab’s youth and attack the AAP government over drugs, unemployment, gangsterism and other concerns.

The campaign comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with Congress seeking to challenge the ruling AAP in the state.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, taking the total number of constituencies for which it has declared nominees to 71. The latest list includes two sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), while several sitting MLAs have been replaced.

The party has also cancelled the ticket of Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, fielding Randhir Singh Dhira Khuddian instead from Lambi.

The development comes as the ruling party steps up preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. 

AAP’s second list follows 40-candidate announcement

AAP had announced its first list of 40 candidates on October 31. The party had renominated all 40 sitting MLAs included in that list.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was named as the candidate from Dhuri, while Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was fielded from Kotkapura.

Three AAP MLAs quit the party shortly after the announcement of the first list, leaving Samana, Sanaur and Amritsar North among the constituencies requiring a fresh look.

Minister Gurmeet Khuddian loses Lambi ticket

One of the significant changes in the second list is in Lambi, where AAP has fielded Randhir Singh Dhira Khuddian instead of sitting MLA and Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian.

Gurmeet Singh Khuddian had defeated former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the constituency in the 2022 Assembly elections.

Two sitting MPs get Assembly tickets

AAP has fielded two sitting MPs in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer will contest from Barnala, his former constituency, while Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal has been named as the candidate from Phagwara.

Meet Hayer returns to Barnala, where Congress won the 2024 bypoll.

Focus shifts to candidate selection ahead of Punjab polls

The second list indicates that the party is making further changes to its candidate selection as it prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Giving tickets to two MPs also marks an important development in its electoral preparations.

The candidate announcements come as political parties begin preparing for the next electoral contest in Punjab, where the AAP will seek another term in government.