Depression will turn into a cyclonic storm on October 24, predicts IMD
Image for representation. Puri in Odisha during Cyclone Fani in 2019. Photo: iStock The developing cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal — Cyclone Sitrang — will bypass Odisha and make landfall near West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts on October 25, 2022, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The national weather forecasting agency has confirmed that a low-pressure area formed over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on the morning of October 20.
This system is likely to move west-northwestwards. “It will concentrate into a depression over east-central & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22,” said IMD in a press release.
In the following 24 hours, the depression will progress into a deep depression. “Subsequently, it is very likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over west-central & adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal by October 24,” IMD said in a press release.
Thereafter, it is likely to gradually move north- and northeast-wards and reach close to West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts on 25th October, skirting the Odisha coast, the media statement read.
On October 24, wind will gust at 60-70 kilometres per hour (kmph) and go up to 80 kmph over Odisha-West Bengal coasts, north Bay of Bengal as well as adjoining central and southeast Bay of Bengal, IMD warned. For October 25, the speed will rise to 65-75 kmph and reach 85 kmph over the region.
Odisha and West Bengal have issued cyclone alerts to fishers and residents in villages along the coast and ramped up evacuation efforts. Odisha has started preparing safe shelters in the areas expected to be badly affected.
West Bengal has asked marine fishers to return from sea by October 22 and keep away. Tourists have also been discouraged from visiting seasides.
Leaves of emergency workers have been cancelled in both states. An emergency meeting by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee scheduled for October 21 may yield more details about the preparations in the state.
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