BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government on Friday sounded an alert following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of a cyclonic storm forming over the Bay of Bengal by October 26 and moving towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast around October 28.
Winds of up to 90kmph
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said wind speeds could reach 70-80kmph, gusting up to 90kmph, from the morning of October 26, with conditions expected to intensify thereafter.“The sea is already rough over the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to become very rough in the coming days,” Mohapatra said, advising fishermen not to venture into the sea.The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.The cyclone will be named ‘Arnab’, IMD Bhubaneswar director Manorama Mohanty said.
Odisha govt alerts districts
Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the government is closely monitoring the evolving weather system and has alerted district administrations to remain prepared for possible heavy rain and strong winds.“The government will take all necessary measures to minimise damage and ensure swift restoration of essential services,” he said.Pujari is scheduled to chair a high-level preparedness meeting later in the evening. Senior officials, including the chief secretary and special relief commissioner (SRC), along with collectors of 16 districts, will participate virtually.
Path, landfall location yet to be confirmed
While the IMD is yet to specify the exact landfall location and likely path of the cyclone, the state government appealed to people not to panic, assuring that precautionary measures are being put in place.Mohanty said there may be clarity about the path by Saturday.
Low-pressure system likely to intensify by Oct 26
According to the IMD, the low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal persisted over the region on Friday morning.The system is likely to intensify into a depression on October 24, deepen further on October 25 and develop into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26 morning.Thereafter, it is expected to move west-northwestwards, intensify further and approach the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the subsequent two days.