Likely to reach West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts by October 25: IMD

 

The system will pass over Odisha coast for a short distance and there was no chance of it making landfall in the state.

Cyclone Sitang Updates: A low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday, and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next four days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The IMD said that the possible Cyclone Sitang in the Bay of Bengal is likely to reach West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts by October 25, crossing Odisha.

The IMD said in a statement that a low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 24.

The low pressure area is very likely to move west-northwestwards and develop into a depression over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22. It is likely to turn into deep depression by 23 October.

As per the guidelines of the World Meteorological Department (WMO) for naming tropical cyclones, Thailand has suggested a name- Sitrang.

Thereafter, it is very likely to turn northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal by October 24. Thereafter, it is very likely to move gradually north-northeastwards and approach West Bengal. -Bangladesh coast by October 25, crossing Odisha," IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said, as reported by news agency PTI. However, he said that the IMD has not yet made any forecast on the likely landfall, intensity and wind speed of the cyclone.

So far in the month of October, 15 cyclones have crossed the Odisha coast between 1891 and 2021. The 1999 supercyclone, however, remains the most intense October cyclone in the history of the Bay of Bengal.

The system will pass over Odisha coast for a short distance and there was no chance of it making landfall in the state. However, Odisha will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places from October 23. Prepared for the situation, Odisha kept its disaster management system ready for any eventuality, including heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal districts and border areas of neighboring West Bengal. “We are ready for any situation.

Although the cyclone is likely to move out of the state's coastal region, very heavy rainfall will occur over Odisha on October 24 and October 25, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore, he said, adding that his officials need to be on high alert and on Diwali and next year. In view of the warning of heavy rain for the day, the situation has been asked to be closely monitored.

Adequate stock of essential commodities including medicines and drinking water has been made in the identified coastal districts. The minister said officials have been asked to remain alert and keep a close watch on the situation. Regional Meteorological Center director HR Biswas said that Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are likely to receive heavy rains on October 23. The IMD has advised fishermen to return to the coast by October 21 as the sea will turn rough.