Low pressure likely by Oct 20; check IMD’s latest forecast on intensification

Even as people across Odisha are anxious whether they will have to face the wrath of a cyclone in the month of October or not, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that a cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood around October 18, 2022.

As per IMD, the system with west-northwestwards movement will further intensify into a low pressure area by October 20 over southeast and adjoining central parts of Bay of Bengal (BoB).

“Further, there is moderate probability that the low pressure area would move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over westcentral Bay of Bengal during beginning of the week 2,” said IMD in its current weather status and extended range forecast for the next two weeks (13-26 October 2022).

IMD Bhubaneswar scientist Umashankar Dash, however, said, “A low pressure area is likely to form around October 20. It is tough to predict from now on its intensification as there are several days left.”

Earlier, the IMD had clearly stated that no forecast regarding cyclone in the next 15 days was made. At a high-level meeting of the state-level cyclone preparedness held recently, the State government had directed officials to keep all apparatus ready as Odisha usually witnesses cyclone in the month of October.