Cyclonic Storm To Have Less Impact On Odisha: IMD

Bhubaneswar: A deep depression formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday morning is most likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

However, the cyclonic storm will have less impact on Odisha, the IMD added.

IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mahapatra informed that Tuesday’s depression over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea has moved west-north-westwards with a speed of 9 kmph and intensified into a deep depression on Wednesday morning.

Mahapatra said the deep depression now lay centred over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal, about 390 km west-north-west of Maya Bandar (Andaman Islands), 810 km south-southeast of Paradip, 920 km south-south-east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 960 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and move west-north-westwards for some more time and then move north-north-westwards towards West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts,” Mahapatra said.

He, however, added that going by the system’s movement, the cyclonic storm will have less impact on Odisha. But there will be a light to moderate rainfall at most places over the north coastal districts on November 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday), he pointed out.

The IMD chief further said that squally wind with speed reaching 40–50 kmph with gusting up to 60 kmph is most likely to commence over the north-west Bay of Bengal off the Odisha and West Bengal coasts from the evening of November 8 (Friday) and gradually increase thereafter under the influence of the cyclonic storm.

“In view of the inclement weather, the fishermen are advised not to venture into the north Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha and West Bengal coasts from November 8 (Friday) while those in the deep sea are advised to return to the coast,” he said.

Meanwhile, a special bulletin released at 5.30 pm said the system is very likely to move northwestwards for some time and then north-northwestwards towards West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts.

A statement issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department said that collectors of all districts have been asked to closely monitor the developments.

Warning for Odisha coast:
Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph and gusting up to 60 kmph will commence over the northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast from evening hours of November 8 and gradually increase thereafter.

The sea condition will be very rough to high till November 7 and then subsequently become “very high to phenomenal” over central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal.