Low Pressure To Form Over Bay In 24 Hours; Heavy Rain Likely In Odisha Amid Possible Cyclone Forecast

Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area is likely to form over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed in its morning bulletin.

“The cyclonic circulation over central Andaman Sea lay over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a depression around October 23,” it said.

The system is likely to trigger rainfall activities in Odisha with isolated heavy spells from October 23-25.

Though several models are indicating the formation of season’s first post-monsoon tropical cyclone, the IMD has made no forecast in this regard. IMD DG Dr Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra had earlier said that a clearer picture will emerge only after formation of a low-pressure area. “It is too early to make a cyclone prediction, but the system is likely to have an impact on coastal areas of North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Rough sea conditions will prevail along and off coastal areas from October 22-25,” he said.

Mohapatra added that the rainfall intensity will increase on October 24 and 25 and coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period.

The weather agency has warned of squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmphis likely to prevail over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal on October 21-22. Squally weather with wind speed 40 kmph to 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over many parts of Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and wind speed of 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph over most parts of Central Bay Of Bengal and Southern parts of North Bay of Bengal on October 23.

According to United States-based National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the the low pressure may develop into a cyclone towards the end of next week. The cyclone is likely to be named ‘Dana’, proposed by Qatar. However, there is still no clarity about the exact path and intensity of the storm.

Under the influence of the system, several places in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Daringbadi, Titilagarh, among others, received rainfall on Saturday. The Special relief Commissioner has asked collectors to remain alert to any emergency situation arising due to heavy rain.

Notably, extremely severe cyclones, including super cyclone in 1999 and Phailin in 2013, hit Odisha in the month of October. The period from October-December is generally considered to be cyclone season for the North Indian Ocean region.