Bhubaneswar: As cyclone Arnab continued to move close to the coast, the intensity of rain is likely to increase in several parts of Odisha from Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.
The system was centred about 580 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha in the morning, 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 690 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 860 km east-southeast of Bapatla. It had moved west-northwestwards at 15 kmph during the preceding six hours, with maximum sustained winds of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph.
In a bulletin, the IMD said the system is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal by the evening of October 26 and into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27. It is then expected to move north-westwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by the forenoon of October 28.
After landfall, the system is forecast to weaken into a cyclonic storm by the evening of October 28, a deep depression by the morning of October 29, and further into a depression and well-marked low-pressure area over the subsequent days while moving northwards.
A red message has been issued by the weather agency for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts. Rainfall and thunderstorms are set to escalate in Odisha from Tuesday.
On October 27-28, the IMD has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at some places over Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
A yellow warning has been issued for districts including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kataka, Khordha, and Nayagada.
On October 28-29, a red warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall was issued for some places with extremely heavy rain at one or two places over Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph. Orange and Yellow warnings extend to many other districts.
On October 29-30, an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall has been sounded for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda and Bargada;, while yellow warning was issued for several other districts.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at most places across Odisha on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Gale winds of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph are already prevailing over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and are expected to increase to 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph near the time of landfall. Squally weather with winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off the South Odisha coast from the morning of October 27, rising further thereafter.
Sea conditions will become phenomenal over the west-central Bay of Bengal from the afternoon of October 27 until landfall. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the west-central Bay of Bengal from October 26 to 29, and along and off the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coasts from October 27 to 29, among other restricted areas.
Port signals: Distant Warning Signal No. II (DW-II) remains hoisted at Paradip and Dhamra; Local Warning Signal No. IV (LW-IV) at Puri and Gopalpur.
Strong winds may damage plantations, horticulture and standing crops, cause minor to partial damage to vulnerable and kutcha structures, uproot trees, and disrupt power and communication lines. Heavy rain is likely to cause localised flooding, waterlogging, traffic disruption and landslides in vulnerable areas. Marine and inland water transport, as well as onshore and offshore operations, may be affected.
People have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, if possible, take safe shelter, unplug electrical appliances, keep away from water bodies and follow official advisories. Tourism, recreational and helicopter services should be regulated.