Will Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Skirt Odisha Coast? No Weather Warning Till October 23 Morning

Bhubaneswar: While a clear picture on intensity, landfall and wind speed of the post-monsoon cyclone ‘Sitrang’, which may brew in the west-central Bay of Bengal around October 24, is yet to emerge, the system in all probability is likely to bring heavy rain to coastal districts of Odisha.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday informed that the cyclonic circulation over north Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood is likely to intensify into a low-pressure area over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. “It is likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression by 22nd morning over central Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours,” it said.

While there is no major weather warning till October 23 morning, fishermen, who are in deep sea areas, have been advised to return to the coast by October 22.

According to the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) bulletin, most weather models are indicating development of a low-pressure area over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal on Wednesday and its further intensification by October 21.  However, there is still a large variation with respect to the track and peak intensification of the possible cyclone.

Also Read: Low Pressure In 24 Hours; Bay Of Bengal Likely To Churn Out Storm This Week

The model of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) indicated that the possible cyclone may make landfall in Haldibari area of West Bengal while the American Global Forecast System (GFS) model showed likely landfall near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast. These models had suggested north of Balasore and Digha as the possible landfall sites the previous day.

The RSMC concluded that landfall point based on ECMWF, NCUM and NCEP-GFS models varies between West Bengal (Digha) and Bangladesh (Pather Ghat) coast. Landfall time is varying between 25/0000 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to 25/1200 UTC from these models.

Also Read: Post-Monsoon Cyclone To Bring More Rain To Odisha; Clear Picture On Intensity, Landfall By Oct 21-22

The IMD-GFS model, on the other hand, is indicating landfall over Odisha around 28/0000 UTC, it added.

“A clear picture of the track of the cyclone will emerge once the low pressure forms tomorrow. We will then be able to give details on the likely impact of the system on states and countries,” IMD Bhubaneswar Director HR Biswas said.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea area areas of westcentral adjoining North Bay of Bengal from October 22 and along and off Odisha coast from October 23 till further notice as squally wind with surface wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65kmph over deep sea areas under the influence of the anticipated system, he added.

This system will be named ‘Sitrang’ if it intensifies into a cyclonic storm.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has already asked district magistrates and senior officials of coastal areas have been asked not to leave their respective headquarters for one week in view of the impending cyclone.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ Likely To Form In Bay After Oct 22; Know Who Named It & What It Means