Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Likely To Skirt Odisha Coast; Check IMD Forecast

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’, which is likely to form over west-central Bay of Bengal around October 24, may skirt Odisha coast before moving towards the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, the regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Thursday.

“The Low Pressure formed today is very likely to move west-northwestwards & concentrate into a depression over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22 and into a deep depression on October 22. Subsequently, it is very likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over westcentral and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 24. Thereafter, it is likely to move gradually north-northeastwards and reach near West Bengal -Bangladesh coasts on October 25, skirting Odisha coast,” the MeT office tweeted. 

The IMD, however, is yet to make a forecast on its intensity and wind speed.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) also indicated that the possible Cyclone may pass close to the Odisha coast while making landfall at Haldibari in West Bengal while American Global Forecast System suggested landfall in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Likely To Form In Bay After Oct 22; Know Who Named It & What It Means

Notably, the MeT office has sounded heavy rainfall warning for three districts – Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur – on October 23. The intensity is likely to increase further, it added.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: Heavy Rain Alert For 3 Odisha Dists After 3 Days

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has put seven coastal districts, which are more prone to the potential cyclone, on alert. Collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Balasore districts have been asked to remain prepared for any adverse situation if a cyclone hits the Odisha coast.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’: 7 Odisha Districts Put On Alert