Is Cyclone ‘Remal’ Brewing In Bay? Clear Picture To Emerge By Tomorrow, Says IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: Is a cyclone brewing in Bay of Bengal? How will the Low-Pressure area over Bay of Bengal that expected to intensify into Depression by Friday impact Odisha?

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Wednesday said that no forecast has yet been made on whether the system will further intensify into a Deep Depression or a cyclone. “While the system is likely to intensify further after it concentrates into a Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by Friday morning, no prediction has so far been made on its maximum intensification,” he said.

Mohapatra, however, said that the possibility of a Depression developing into a cyclone is usually high in the month of May. “A detailed forecast on its intensity, landfall time and point will be issued tomorrow (May 23),” he said.

He added that the system is unlikely to have a direct impact on Odisha. “We are expecting heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and Odisha as the system is expected to reach West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts by May 25 evening.”

“The sea conditions will remain rough to very rough and therefore, fishermen have been advised to return to the coast by today and fishermen from the east coast states and Andaman & Nicobar islands shouldn’t venture into the sea till May 26.”

If the cyclone (which would be named Remal) does form, it would be the first of the pre-monsoon season of 2024.

According to special bulletin issued by the IMD, a Low-Pressure area persists over Southwest and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal. “It is very likely to move northeastwards and concentrate into a Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by morning of May 24. It is likely to move northeastwards, intensify further and reach northeast and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by the evening of May 25.”

It has sound yellow warning of heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) for isolated places in Balasore districts on May 25. Light to moderate rain/thundershower may also occur at many places in north Odisha, and at a few places in south Odisha.

On May 26, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Balasore ans Bhadrak districts. Light to moderate rain/thundershower may occur at many places in north Odisha, and at a few places in south Odisha.

Wind Warning

Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely over south Bay of Bengal on May 22. It would gradually increase becoming squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from May 23 morning. It would extend to adjoining areas of North Bay of Bengal with increased wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from May 24 morning and over northeast Bay of Bengal & adjoining northwest & eastcentral Bay of Bengal from May 25 morning till May 26 evening.

Sea condition

Sea condition is likely to be moderate to rough over southwest Bay of Bengal on May 22, rough to very rough over central & adjoining south Bay of Bengal from May 23 and over North Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards till May 26.

Fishermen Warning

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into central ans adjoining south Bay of Bengal from May 23 and into North Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards till May 26. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast before May 23.