IMD clears air on cyclone speculations; cyclonic storm likely to form over Bay of Bengal
District Collectors put on alert, leave of govt employees cancelled
By Pravakar Sahoo
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 19: Clearing all air on the speculations surrounding formation of a cyclone, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday stated that there is every possibility that a cyclonic storm is likely to form over Bay of Bengal over next few days.
As per IMD, Monday’s cyclonic circulation over south Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a low pressure area over southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around October 20.
The weather agency further stated that the low pressure area is likely to move west-northwest wards and will intensify into a depression over central Bay of Bengal around October 22.
“The system is likely to further intensify into a cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal,” tweeted IMD’s Regional Centre in Bhubaneswar today.
The state government on Tuesday evening convened an emergency meeting at 4 pm in view of IMD’s forecast of a possible cyclone over Bay of Bengal. At the meeting, senior officials discussed many issues, including disaster mitigation and preparations, to tackle any possible threat arising out of the cyclone.
After the meeting, the state government asked District Collectors (DCs) to remain alert in view of the IMD forecast regarding formation of a cyclone.
“The leave of employees has been cancelled and they have been asked to remain present in headquarters,” informed Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA) executive director Gyana Das.
According to Das, so far the IMD has not made any forecast or projection regarding the path or what would be its intensity. However, every possible step is being taken by the government to deal with the emergency situation.
Earlier in the day, IMD director general Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra had stated that a low pressure area is likely to develop under the influence of a cyclonic circulation in the next 48 hours. As per IMD, the system is likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over Central Bay of Bengal.
Subsequently, it is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal.
The IMD DG further said so far any forecast on what will be the intensity of the cyclone and which coast it will cross has not been made.
“Only after the low pressure forms, we will be in a better position to forecast the areas which will be affected by the cyclone, its intensity and the areas which might get affected including rainfall,” Dr Mohapatra added.
