Bhubaneswar: A cyclonic storm is likely to form over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 23 and cross Odisha-West Bengal coasts the following morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Sunday.

“Yesterday’s upper air cyclonic circulation persisted over North Andaman Sea at 8.30 am. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is very likely to form over the Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October, 23 over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning,” the weather agency said in a special bulletin.

The system is likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rain in Odisha from October 23 onwards.

The weather agency had also earlier warned of squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmphis likely to prevail over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal on October 21-22. Squally weather with wind speed 40 kmph to 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over many parts of Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and wind speed of 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph over most parts of Central Bay Of Bengal and Southern parts of North Bay of Bengal on October 23.

The IMD GFS model indicates a more intense storm (Cat-2/VSCS or above) and it is likely to cross Odisha coast anywhere between Paradip and Digha.

On Saturday, senior meteorologist Jason Nicholl predicted formation of a low-pressure area near the Andaman & Nicobar Islands over the next couple of days. “… then can become a cyclonic storm or stronger before impacting Odisha or WestBengal late next week,” posted on X.

This cyclone is likely to be named Dana, a name given by Qatar.

The period from October-December is generally considered to be cyclone season for the North Indian Ocean region. Extremely severe cyclones, including super cyclone in 1999 and Phailin in 2013, hit Odisha in the month of October.

The post appeared first on .