Odisha alerts districts as Bay of Bengal system may become cyclone
The state government has initiated precautionary measures after the IMD forecast a potential cyclonic storm by November 16.
The Odisha government has alerted district collectors in the northern, southern, and coastal regions after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal could develop into a cyclonic storm by the evening of November 16, according to The Pioneer.
Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state has started precautionary measures and instructed collectors to remain vigilant. Pujari noted that the IMD has not yet provided a specific assessment regarding how the system might impact Odisha.
The IMD reported that a low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday morning, located over the central Andaman Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The system is expected to become a well-marked low-pressure area on November 14 and a depression by the morning of November 15.
A yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur on November 18 and 19. Heavy rain is also forecast for Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri on November 19 and 20.
On November 17, the IMD warned of squally conditions along and off the south Odisha coast, with wind speeds of 45–55 kmph and gusts reaching 65 kmph. Fishermen have been advised not to enter the sea along the south coast on that day due to rough to very rough sea conditions.
The state government is monitoring the situation as the weather system develops.