Amid a statewide alert over probable cyclonic storm Sitrang, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday shared latest update on the formation of a low pressure area over southeast and adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal.
“Yesterday's cyclonic circulation over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood persisted over the same region extending upto mid tropospheric levels at 0830 hours IST of today, the 19th October,” the IMD’s Bhubaneswar regional centre tweeted.
“Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast and adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours,” it added.
The weather bureau said the system is likely to move west-northweswards and concentrate into a depression by October 22 morning over the central Bay of Bengal.
You May Check | Live Update on Cyclone Sitrang
“It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over westcentral BoB during the subsequent 48 hours,” it added.
While the IMD is yet to issue forecast about the intensity of the cyclone and its impact on Odisha, the state government has already started precautionary arrangements to deal with any kind of emergency.
The state government has asked District Collectors to remain alert in view of the possible cyclone over Bay of Bengal.
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has cancelled the leave of all its employees and asked them to remain present in headquarters.
Meanwhile, in view of the possible cyclone the fisheries department started making public announcements through loudspeakers asking fishermen who have ventured into sea to return back. The public announcements were made at Nehru Bungalow, Sandhakuda, Choumuhani and Atharabanki.
Fisher folks have been asked not to go into sea to catch fish from October 22.