Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal Friday and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26, according to an IMD forecast that prompted the Odisha government to start taking precautionary measures.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed the state government that a low-pressure area has formed over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am, a minister said.
“The low-pressure area is most likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression October 24. Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression October 25 and into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26 morning,” the IMD said.
The system is likely to intensify further and move towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts during the subsequent two days, the weather office said.
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“Keeping in view of the IMD message, the state government has already started preparations for the impending weather system that will approach the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coasts,” Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.
Under the influence of the weather system, Andaman Islands, coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Gangetic West Bengal may experience squally weather with light to moderate rainfall from October 23 to October 25.
Winds gusting up to 60 kmph are very likely along the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts October 27 and would intensify gradually thereafter, it said.
Fishermen who have ventured into the sea have been advised to return to the coasts by October 24 morning, the IMD added.