Is Odisha at risk of another Super Cyclone? IMD senior scientist weighs in

A low-pressure system has formed over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal early in the morning on Friday, around 5.30 AM. The system is expected to intensify in the coming days, possibly developing into a cyclonic storm, said Dr Dushmanta Ranjan Pattanaik, Senior Meteorologist at IMD-New Delhi. Odisha’s risk of facing another Super Cyclone cannot be predicted at this stage.

Also Read: Cyclone threat looms large as low pressure forms over Bay of Bengal; will Odisha be impacted?

“As per our earlier prediction, a Low-Pressure system has already been formed today in the morning by 5.30 AM. The system will gradually become well-marked and likely intensify further into a Depression, Deep Depression and then a cyclonic storm. We have predicted for the coming three days and issued a graphic representation in this regard,” the IMD-New Delhi senior meteorologist said to OTV.

“Intensity and path of the impending cyclone have also been mentioned therein. As you can see from the track, after formation, the low-pressure system over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwestwards. It will become more marked during the subsequent 24 hours,” the senior meteorologist stated when contacted.

“A pre-genesis forecast (PGF) is a tropical cyclone forecasting term, primarily used by the IMD-New Delhi and its regional centres, for predicting the formation (genesis) of a tropical Depression, including its probable date, time, and location, along with initial track and intensity, before it actually forms,” the IMD scientist expressed.

“Initially, a forecast is made for three days alone. When the genesis forecast begins (after the Depression stage), we usually provide the full track and complete forecast. Intensity and timing of the cyclonic storm are given at that time,” Dr Pattanaik further said.

“At this stage, it would be premature to say that the intensity if the cyclonic storm will be the same as that of the 1999 Super Cyclone. Further updates can be given after the current weather system reaches the stage of a cyclone,” the senior meteorologist asserted.

Earlier in the day, Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed that all necessary preparations have been made to deal with potential weather emergencies. The Odisha government has geared up for any eventuality arising from a possible cyclone.

“Odisha is a disaster-prone state, and we are prepared to handle any adverse situation,” Minister Pujari said. Special instructions have been issued to the key departments, such as Energy and Health, to ensure rapid response during the anticipated emergencies.