Cyclone Alert: Warning Signal No. 1 Hoisted at 9 Ports in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

October 25, 2026

Chennai: The weather system forming in the Bay of Bengal is steadily strengthening. In view of this, Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 has been issued for nine ports in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to officials, this weather system could intensify into a cyclone by Monday.

The ports where the warning signal has been issued include Chennai, Ennore, Kattupalli, Cuddalore, Tuticorin, Pamban, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

This warning has been issued at a time when strong winds are expected in the area and the weather system is expected to become more powerful over the next two days.

Weather system rapidly strengthening in the Bay of Bengal

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low pressure area over the central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal strengthened further on Saturday and turned into a well-marked low pressure area.

According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast, it is likely to intensify into a depression and then a deep depression on Sunday. It could then intensify into a cyclone on Monday. During this time, the weather system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction.

It is expected to strengthen further as it moves from the Bay of Bengal towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28th

According to the forecast, this weather system may pass near the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28th. Its possible path includes the central-western part of the Bay of Bengal.

However, the exact time and location of landfall are currently unavailable. The situation may change as the direction and intensity of the weather system changes.

What is Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1?

Signal No. 1, displayed at ports, is the initial level of the cyclone warning system. It indicates that a weather disturbance is present in the ocean and conditions may be favorable for the formation of a cyclone.

Its purpose is to alert ships, sailors, and other port users to changing weather conditions.

However, signal number 1 does not necessarily indicate a cyclone’s imminent impact on the port. It provides early warning of potential cyclonic activity rather than an immediate hazard warning.

Warning signals numbered 1 to 11 are used at ports to indicate varying levels of weather hazards. These signals indicate the nature and severity of the potential hazard at sea.

Signals are displayed differently during the day and at night

The display of warning signals at ports differs during the day and night. During the day, conical structures made of bamboo are used to display the designated signals.

At night, warning signals are displayed using colored lights. This system provides information about weather hazards to ships at sea and other concerned personnel.