Low-pressure area forms over Bay of Bengal, may become cyclone by Nov 16; Odisha puts collectors on alert

A low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal early on Friday, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said it could strengthen into a cyclonic storm by the evening of November 16, prompting Odisha to put its district administrations on alert.

According to the IMD, the low developed at 5:30 am on Friday under an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the central Andaman Sea and the adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is expected to move northwest, become a well-marked low around Saturday, intensify into a depression by Sunday, November 15, and possibly into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by Monday evening.

Track still uncertain

Weather models differ on where the system will head, and the IMD has not yet indicated a likely landfall area or its impact on any coast. A senior IMD scientist said a clearer picture would emerge once the depression forms, and people have been advised to follow official bulletins.

In the meantime, the IMD has forecast squally weather with wind speeds of about 50 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h, over the Andaman Sea on Friday and Saturday and over the southeast Bay of Bengal until November 16. Winds of up to 55 km/h, gusting to 65 km/h, are expected over the southwest and central Bay of Bengal on November 16 and 17.

Odisha prepares

Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the IMD had not yet indicated any specific impact on the state, but collectors in northern, southern and coastal districts had been asked to stay prepared and vigilant. The minister was also due to review the situation with senior officials.

The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has issued yellow alerts for heavy rain in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur on November 18 and 19, and in Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri on November 19 and 20. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea off the south Odisha coast on November 17, when the sea is likely to be rough to very rough.

Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have all been hit by Bay of Bengal storms in past November seasons, which is why states along the east coast watch such systems closely.