A monsoon depression has formed, as expected, over South-East Bay of Bengal and it has set off on a hurried pace away from India's east coast and in a north-northeast direction.

India Met Department located the system at 500 km west-southwest of Maya Bandar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and 950 km south-southwest of Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) this morning.

The depression is expected to intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours, and, if it were to keep its speed, may not get the time for further intensification as a cyclone before it hits the Myanmar coast.

According to the Met, the deep depression, which is only a spin away from being classified a cyclone, may cross coast between Sittwe and Sandway in Myanmar by the forenoon of day after tomorrow (Monday).

The Met has declared a heavy rainfall alert for most places over Andaman Islands during the next 24 hours and isolated heavy rainfalls during the subsequent 24 hours.

Squally winds with a speed reaching 50- to 60 km/hr gusting to 70 km/hr would prevail over the Andaman Islands and adjoining seas during the next 48 hours.

The sea condition would be very rough along and off the Andaman Islands during the next 48 hours. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea. Those already out have been directed to return to the coast.