Bhubaneswar: The month of October always brings the people of Odisha with the threat of cyclones. This October is also set to be a similar experience.
According to the India Meteorological Department, a cyclonic circulation is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal on October 27th.
According to the IMD, a low pressure area has formed in the southeast Bay of Bengal region on Friday. It will gradually move west-northwestward and become more organized, forming a depression over the southeast and central Bay of Bengal by Saturday.
By October 26th, it will strengthen into a deep depression. By the morning of October 27th (Monday), it is likely to intensify further and turn into a cyclone over the southwest and central Bay of Bengal.
However, no clear information has yet been provided regarding the intensity of this storm, its direction of movement, and its landfall.
Path Remains Unclear
Weather experts predict that this cyclone may make landfall primarily near the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. The picture will become clearer as the system transforms into a depression. The storm will be named ‘Montha,’ a name proposed by Thailand. This word means ‘fragrant flower’ or ‘beautiful flower.’
Meteorologist Surendranath Pasupalak stated that three separate cyclonic circulation areas were active in the Bay of Bengal yesterday. Of these, the southeast circulation developed into a low pressure area this morning, which became more clearly visible by evening.
This system will continue to intensify and become a cyclonic depression on October 27. If weather conditions remain favorable, it may further intensify and become a cyclone on October 28.
Currently, two scenarios are emerging:
1. First, the system may strengthen and make landfall along the Andhra coast (between Nellore and Visakhapatnam) on October 28th.
2. Second, if influenced by westerly winds, it may weaken and turn towards the Odisha coast on October 29th.
Rainfall and Warnings in Odisha
The low pressure area is likely to intensify, leading to rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in coastal and adjoining Odisha on October 25th and 26th. The intensity of rainfall in the state will increase from October 27th.
An orange alert has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts.
Similarly, rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is also likely in many parts of coastal and western Odisha.
A warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for various areas of the state on October 28th and 29th. The potential cyclone will cause turbulent seas along the Odisha coast. Therefore fishermen have been prohibited from going into the sea.