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 following a forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to reports from The Pioneer, the IMD expects a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal to strengthen into a cyclonic storm around the evening of November 16.
Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state has started precautionary measures and instructed collectors to remain vigilant. He noted that the IMD has not yet provided a specific assessment regarding how the system might impact Odisha.
The weather system formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday morning. The IMD predicts it will move northwestwards to become a well-marked low-pressure area on November 14, potentially developing into a depression by November 15.
A yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur for November 18 and 19. Heavy rain is also expected in Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri districts on November 19 and 20.
Thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 30–40 kmph are likely in several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj. On November 17, squally conditions with wind gusts up to 65 kmph are forecast along the south Odisha coast.
Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea off the south Odisha coast on November 17. The state government continues to monitor the situation as the weather system develops.