A deep depression in the Strait of Malacca has intensified into the cyclonic storm Senyar on November 26, 2025, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. The system, centered near 5.1°N and 98.5°E, is moving west-northwestwards and could bring heavy rainfall to southern India. Another low-pressure area near Sri Lanka is also expected to develop into a depression.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a deep depression over the Strait of Malacca, connecting the Indian Ocean to the Pacific via the Andaman Sea and South China Sea, intensified into a cyclonic storm named Senyar on the morning of November 26, 2025. The storm, named by the United Arab Emirates and meaning 'lion,' was centered at latitude 5.1°N and longitude 98.5°E, approximately 160 km east of Kuta Makmur in Indonesia, 200 km west-southwest of George Town in Malaysia, 640 km east-southeast of Nancowry in the Nicobar Islands, and 770 km southeast of Car Nicobar.
The system had moved nearly westwards at 10 kmph through the evening of November 25 and is likely to continue west-northwestwards, potentially intensifying further by noon. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal, adjoining south Sri Lanka and the equatorial Indian Ocean, persisted as of 11:30 pm IST on November 25. The IMD stated it is 'very likely to move north-northwestwards and become a well marked low pressure area during next 12 hours and intensify further into a depression during subsequent 24 hours.'
These weather systems have triggered heavy rainfall across southern states. In Tamil Nadu, rains caused flooding in Thanjavur district, submerging over 300 acres of paddy fields, and waterlogging in Thoothukudi, where electric pumps were deployed. DMK MP Kanimozhi inspected the pumping operations. The IMD issued alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu from November 25 to 30, with very heavy falls expected on November 28-30; Kerala and Mahe on November 25-26; coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema from November 29 to December 1; and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from November 26 to 29.
IMD director S Stella noted, 'We expect heavy rainfall at isolated places on 29 November, particularly over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. On 30 November 2025, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are likely to witness isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall.' Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds up to 60 kmph are also forecasted over affected regions.