Bhubaneswar: After heavy rain dampened the spirit of Durga Puja in many parts of the State, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted formation of a tropical cyclone around Diwali.
Speaking to reporters, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that cyclonic circulation formed over south Andaman Sea and neighbourhood on Monday now lay over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood.
Under its influence a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours (October 19 or 20), he said.
The system is likely to move west-north westwards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over central Bay of Bengal, informed the IMD DG.
It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal subsequently. The prevailing weather system is likely to take the shape of a cyclone around October 23 or 24, he predicted.
“However, we have not predicted the intensity and possible area of landfall of the impending cyclone as it is yet to take the shape of a low pressure area.”
The meteorological condition is under continuous surveillance and daily updates will be issued accordingly, he added.
Under the influence of above mentioned anticipated system squally weather with surface wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over deep sea areas of westcentral adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal from October 22 morning, the IMD said.
So, the weather office has advised fishermen not to venture into deep sea areas of westcentral adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal from October 22 morning onwards till further notice, it said.
Meanwhile, the State Government has asked all its field-level functionaries in likely affected districts not to leave their headquarters on October 23, 24 & 25.
ACS, Revenue & Disaster Management and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Satyabrata Sahu has conveyed a high-level meeting here at 4 pm to review the situation and take necessary precautionary measures to tackle the impending cyclone, sources said.
