The Department of Meteorology has issued a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas in parts of the Bay of Bengal, urging naval and fishing communities to avoid affected sea areas until further notice.

The warning, issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 10:00 p.m., will be in effect for the next 12 hours and applies to multi-day boats operating in deep-sea areas of the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Met. Department, a depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression at 5:30 p.m.

The system is expected to move west-northwestward while maintaining its intensity and is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast.

Winds in sea areas placed under the warning category could reach 70 km/h at times, accompanied by heavy thundershowers and very rough seas.

Meanwhile, areas under the advisory category could experience winds of 55–65 km/h, with rough to very rough sea conditions at times.

The Department has warned naval and fishing communities not to venture into the sea area bounded by 07°N to 22°N latitude and 83°E to 95°E longitude until further notice.

Those already operating in the affected waters have been advised to move away from the area and remain vigilant, while closely monitoring future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology.