Bangladesh braces for cyclone tomorrow; heavy rains likely in parts of Odisha, Bengal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Thursday said that the prevailing deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.

“The cyclone will cross the Bangladesh coast between Mongla and Khepupara during the early hours of Saturday. The expected wind speed is 60 to 70 km/hr gusting to 80 km/hr,” the IMD said in its special national weather bulletin issued late Thursday morning.

The projected track of the cyclone which is expected to make a landfall over Bangladesh early Saturday. (Photo: IMD)

As per 11.30 am satellite observations on Thursday, the deep depression had moved north-northeastwards . It was located 420 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 270 km south-southeast of Paradip, 410 km south-southwest of Digha and 540 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh.

In view of this developing storm, rough sea conditions will prevail over most regions of the Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the deep seas till Saturday.

Coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal will come under the influence of this system and will experience heavy rainfall till Friday, the IMD said. The Met department has issued an ‘orange’ alert for North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas on Friday with the chances of heavy rainfall (70 – 110 mm in 24 hours).