Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has dismissed rumours of an impending cyclone over Odisha, advising the public to ignore panic-inducing speculation on social media.
No cyclonic storm is forecasted, but a developing low-pressure system could bring heavy rainfall across multiple districts.
A cyclonic circulation has formed over northern Thailand and is expected to move into the North Andaman Sea by the evening of September 18. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the region around September 19, which is predicted to gradually intensify and move in a west-northwest direction towards the coasts of southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh over the following three to four days, bringing heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha.
IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
“People should not panic. The IMD has not predicted any cyclone at this stage. A low-pressure system is forming, which will bring heavy rainfall to Odisha, but there is no threat of a cyclone to the state right now,” said IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
The weather department is continuously monitoring the system and will issue updates if there are any further changes in its intensity or trajectory, he added.
The IMD Director General also downplayed recent reports from ISRO about a possible weather system, saying the information isn’t new and highlighting that the developing situation simply requires ongoing monitoring.
The national forecaster further noted that, on average, around five cyclones form annually across the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea combined
CEC Director Sarat Chandra Sahu
According to Sarat Chandra Sahu, former Director of the Meteorological Centre and Director of the Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) at SOA University, a low-pressure area is expected to form around September 20 near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The system is anticipated to intensify further as it moves towards the eastern coast. “The low-pressure system is expected to move towards the northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts around September 24. Initial weather models indicate that the system could intensify into a deep depression. A clearer picture regarding its exact trajectory, intensity, and whether it could further intensify will emerge by September 21 after the low-pressure system forms,” he noted.
Under the influence this system, rainfall activity in Odisha will increase significantly between September 22 and September 26. Coastal and southern districts are expected to bear the initial impact before rain spreads to other regions, he added.
Weather Scientist Surendranath Pasupalak
Weather scientist and meteorologist Surendranath Pashupalak, however, stated that a cyclonic system could form over the Bay of Bengal and hit the Odisha coast between September 24 and September 26. “Atmospheric conditions and wind patterns indicate the gradual formation of a low-pressure area over the central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal. As the system moves west-northwestwards, it is expected to intensify further into a deep depression and possibly transform into a full-fledged cyclonic storm before reaching the eastern coastline of India,” he said.
The weather expert highlighted that several coastal districts of Odisha could experience heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong, gusty surface winds during this period.
While atmospheric variables continue to evolve, Dr Pasupalak emphasised that the precise intensity, track, and point of landfall will become clearer over the next few days as meteorologists closely monitor satellite imagery and global weather models. “At this stage, heavy rainfall across Odisha appears to be a more immediate and reliable signal than damaging cyclone-force winds. The system has not fully consolidated yet, and predictions 7 to 10 days in advance undergo continuous updates,” he added.
