Bhubaneswar: A cyclonic storm, likely to take shape over the Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16, may intensify into a severe storm by November 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
Under its impact, heavy to very heavy rain coupled with strong winds is likely to lash several parts of Odisha from November 18, the IMD said, while issuing yellow and orange warnings for different districts.
The system is currently active as a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal. It is likely to intensify into a depression over the same region in the next 24 hours.
Thereafter, it is expected to move north-north-westwards and gradually gain strength. It may develop into a cyclonic storm over the south-central Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16.
If it develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Akvan, sources said
The weather system is likely to further intensify further over the sea and could become a severe cyclonic storm by November 18, according to the weather agency.
However, the IMD is yet to indicate which coast the possible cyclone may approach. Its movement and potential impact will become clearer as the system develops.
In a weather bulletin, the IMD issued a yellow warning of heavy rain over the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, and Khordha on November 18-19.
This apart, thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) is likely to occur in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada districts during the period.
On November 19-20, an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain has been issued for the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri.
Besides, thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind (speed reaching 50-60 kmph) is likely to occur in Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri.
Yellow warning has been issued for the districts of Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
On November 20-21, the weather agency has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain for Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Kandhamala, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
Similarly, a yellow warning has been issued for the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 gusting to 65 kmph is likely to commence from November 17 morning. It is likely to increase becoming 50-60 gusting to 70 kmph from November 18 to 20 morning along & off south Odisha coast. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 gusting to 65 kmph is likely from November 20 morning to November 21 morning along and off Odisha coast.
Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough from November 17 till November 21 along and off Odisha coast.
In view of adverse weather conditions, fishermen out at sea have been advised to return to coasts by November 16. Fishermen are advised not to venture into along and off south Odisha coast from morning of November 17 to 20.
