Cyclone to hit Odisha, WB

The depression over southeast Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, Amphan, in the next couple of days, is expected to affect the West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

The depression has moved northwestwards and is lying about 1040 km south of Paradip in Odisha and 1200 km south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal according to the latest update by IMD.

It will intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours (by May 16 late evening or early morning of May 17) and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. “It is likely to move northnorthwestwards initially till May 17 and then recurve north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts during May 18 and 20,” IMD’S Cyclone Warning Division said on Saturday afternoon.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into south Bay of Bengal between May 16 and 17, to central Bay of Bengal between May 17 and 18 and north Bay of Bengal between May 19 and 20.

Fishermen are also advised not to venture into north Bay of Bengal along and off North Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coast between May 18 and 20.

“The cyclone is likely to move towards West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts. We will give details of landfall location on Sunday morning and an evacuation strategy can be made after that,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

“Adverse weather can be expected in Odisha and West Bengal coastal areas between May 18 and 20. These states are under pre-cyclone watch. Actions to be taken will be decided as we get more details of its trajectory,” said Sunita Devi, IMD scientist in-charge for cyclones.

Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph is prevailing over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to increase to 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph over east central and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal by May 17 morning, 120-130kmph, gusting to 145 kmph over southern parts of central Bay of Bengal by May 18 morning, 155-165 kmph, gusting to 180 kmph over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal on May 19, and 160-170 kmph, gusting to 190 kmph over north Bay of Bengal by May 20.