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The soon-to-develop cyclonic storm Sitrang (read as Si-trang) is most likely to skirt the Odisha coast and head towards the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts around October 25, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Thursday.
The soon-to-develop cyclonic storm Sitrang is most likely to skirt past Odisha and reach close to the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts around October 25, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Thursday.
The IMD confirmed the development of a low-pressure system (wind speed 31 km per hour) over the north Andaman Sea and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.
“It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression (wind speed 31 – 50 km/hr) over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22. It will strengthen into a deep depression (wind speed 51 – 61km/hr) on October 23,” the bulletin stated.
“Subsequently, it is very likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 24. Thereafter, it is likely to move gradually north-northeastwards and skirt the Odisha coast to reach near West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts on October 25,” the IMD said.
Since Wednesday, the IMD has been urging fishermen not to venture into the deep sea from October 22 onwards. Those already at sea have been told to return to the coast by October 22.
Once strengthened into a cyclone, Sitrang will be the second storm to form in 2022, and only the first to develop in October since 2018, when Titli, a powerful cyclone, battered the country’s eastern parts.
According to IMD data, of all the cyclones that developed in the Bay of Bengal in the month of October since 1981, only 15 crossed Odisha.
Over the North Indian Ocean, comprising the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, May-June and October-November are known to produce cyclones of severe intensity affecting Indian coasts.
