Sitrang to intensify into severe cyclonic storm in next 12 hrs; heavy rain alert for six Odisha districts 

The cyclonic storm Sitrang over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Monday. 

"The cyclonic storm "SITRANG" pronounced as "Si-Trang" over westcentral & adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past six hours and lay centered at 0230 hours 1ST of today, the 24th October over the same region near latitude 17.20N and longitude 81340E, about 770 km northwest of Port Blair, 500 km south of Sagar Island and 650 km south-southwest of Barisal (Bangladesh)," the IMD said. 

"It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. Continuing to move north-northeastwards thereafter, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip close to Barisal around 25th October early morning," it added. 

The weathermen forecast that squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph on October 24 and squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely along and off Balasore district & 40 to 50 off remaining north coastal area of Odisha on October 25.

Though the cyclonic storm will have no direct impact on Odisha, six coastal districts will experience heavy rainfall under its influence today. The weather office has issued Yellow Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Cuttack.

"Heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Cuttack," the IMD said.