Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’, which is likely to form over westcentral and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 24, may spare Odisha.
“The cyclone won’t hit Odisha coast, rather it will move along the coast. After intensifying into a cyclone on October 24, system will recurve and move north-northeastwards. Windspeed has not been predicted as yet,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told the media on Thursday.
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He, however, said that coastal Odisha is likely to experience heavy rainfall on October 24-25 under the influence of the system. “A few other places may experience heavy rainfall activity before October 23. The impact will be comparatively less in Odisha as the cyclone is unlikely to make landfall in the state,” he added.
The IMD has so far sounded yellow warning for heavy rainfall in three districts – Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur – on October 23. The intensity is likely to increase further in the next two days.
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According to Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi, most weather models are indicating development of depression by October 22 over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal. Models are further indicating intensification into a cyclonic storm on October 24 over westcentral Bay of Bengal. The crossing area is varying between West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has indicated that the possible Cyclone may pass close to the Odisha coast while making landfall at Haldibari in West Bengal. American Global Forecast System suggested landfall in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
“Both ECMWF & NCUM indicating crossing over West Bengal- Bangladesh border and GFS indicating crossing slightly westwards over West Bengal coast. The landfall time is 25th/0300-0600 UTC based while GFS & ECMWF & NCUM indicate early landfall around 24th/2100 UTC,” RSMC added.
