Bhubaneswar: After experiencing considerable respite from the biting cold wave that swept the state over the last few days, Odisha is bracing for a fresh system brewing over the Bay of Bengal.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal around November 22. “Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into depression over central parts of south Bay of Bengal around November 24,” it further stated.
The system is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and intensify further over southwest Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours, it added.
While the IMD is keeping a close watch on the developing weather system, its track and intensity can become clearer once the low-pressure area forms over the Bay of Bengal.
In a post on X, senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls said that a fresh low will form in the southern Bay of Bengal this weekend & can strengthen to a cyclonic storm before approaching Andhra Pradesh later next week.
Private forecaster Skymet has also predicted formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 21-22. It further stated that it has a reasonable probability of intensifying and moving west-northwestward, first toward the south-central Bay of Bengal and then into the southwestern part of the Bay of Bengal. It also warned of rough weather early next week in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
This prediction comes less than a month after Odisha was spared from major damage after Cyclone Montha made landfall south of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on October 28, clocking wind speeds of 90 to 100 kilometres per hour.
