Bhubaneswar: In a significant forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday presented a clear picture about the probable place where the cyclone Montha brewing over the Bay may make landfall.
In its latest update, the IMD stated that the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of seven kmph during past three hours and lay centred over the same region.
The system was about 440 km west-southwest of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), 970 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 970 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 990 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 1040 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha).
It is likely to move nearly west-north-westwards, intensify into a deep depression by October 26 and into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27.
Thereafter, it is likely to move north-westwards, then north-north-westwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.
“Continuing to move north-north-westwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening /night of 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” the IMD said in its latest update.
While at least 15 districts of Odisha are likely to face heavy rain and high-velocity wind, the weather agency has issued gale wind warnings, forecasting speeds of 60–70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from Sunday evening. Wind flow may escalate up to 90–100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over the west-central Bay and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by Tuesday.
Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, as well as along and off Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha coasts till October 29. Those already at sea have been urged to return to safety immediately.
The IMD also cautioned that sea conditions are expected to become ‘very rough to high’, with the possibility of localised flooding, landslides, and damage to plantations and kutcha houses in affected coastal regions
The Odisha government has issued an alert for Paradip in view of the impending cyclonic storm Montha. The fisheries department and police have warned fishermen to exercise caution and not venture into the sea.
Warnings have been issued in areas such as Nehru Bangala Fishing Harbour, Atharabanki, and Shandakuda through miking. People in Nua Bazaar and Chaumuhani areas have also been warned through miking.
