Odisha alerts districts as Bay of Bengal system may become cyclone
The state government has initiated precautionary measures following forecasts that a low-pressure area could intensify into a 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 and India Today.
A low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday morning near 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 around the morning of November 15.
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 the potential impact on Odisha.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur on November 18 and 19. Heavy rain is also expected in Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri on November 19 and 20.
On November 17, squally conditions with wind speeds of 45–55 kmph and gusts up to 65 kmph are forecast along and off the south Odisha coast. Fishermen have been advised not to enter the sea in these areas due to rough to very rough conditions.
V R Durai, director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre at the Regional Meteorological Centre, told The New Indian Express that while the exact track is unknown, models suggest the cyclone may head towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha.