
Odisha is likely to witness rain and gusty winds from October 23 to 25, according to the IMD. The forecast suggests light to moderate rainfall across most regions, with isolated heavy showers anticipated on October 23.
BHUBANESWAR: First Post-Monsoon Tropical Storm Likely to Form Over Bay of Bengal by October 23, IMD Reports
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Sunday that the first tropical storm of the post-monsoon season is expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal by October 23.
A cyclonic circulation that originated over the central Andaman Sea has now shifted to the northern Andaman Sea. This system is predicted to evolve into a low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal and the northern Andaman Sea within the next 24 hours.
IMD Director General, Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, explained that the system is projected to move west-northwestward and develop into a depression by the morning of October 22. It is then expected to further intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over the east-central Bay of Bengal. The storm will likely continue moving northwest and could approach the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by the morning of October 24.
Dr. Mohapatra also mentioned that the system might intensify into a severe cyclone, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h. However, details about potential landfall will be clearer once the low-pressure system forms and strengthens into a depression.
Odisha is forecasted to experience rainfall and gusty winds from October 23 to 25. Light to moderate rainfall is expected across most areas, with isolated heavy showers (70-110 mm) predicted for October 23.
On October 24 and 25, several areas may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, with some regions receiving up to 210 mm of rain.
The IMD has also issued a warning of squally winds, with speeds of 40-50 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h, along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts beginning on the evening of October 23. Gale-force winds, reaching 100-110 km/h and gusting up to 120 km/h, are anticipated from the night of October 24 into the morning of October 25. Rough sea conditions are expected along these coasts during this period, and fishermen have been advised to return to shore by October 21.
Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, stated that they are closely monitoring the situation. Odisha, a state frequently affected by cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal, remains alert. The devastating impact of the 1999 super cyclone, which hit on October 29, still lingers in memory. In more recent years, cyclones like Phailin (2013), Hudhud (2014), and Titli (2018) have struck in October, while Cyclone Fani severely impacted Puri and Bhubaneswar in May 2019.