Bhubaneswar: The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is steadily intensifying and is expected to turn into a cyclonic storm by October 27, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
The system, which may further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28, is likely to move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, though its influence could also be felt along parts of south Odisha.
According to the IMD, the system moved west-northwestwards at about 10 kmph over the past six hours and lay centred at 1730 hours IST on October 25 near latitude 10.9°N and longitude 88.1°E, around 1000 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.
It is likely to intensify into a deep depression by October 26 and further into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by October 27 morning. The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 morning, before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28 with wind speeds reaching 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
While the system’s direct landfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha coast — particularly Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts — is likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds from October 27 onwards.
The State Special Relief Commissioner’s office and the Water Resources Department have been put on alert to monitor the evolving situation.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 26 onwards due to rough weather conditions.
Officials said the government is closely coordinating with the IMD to issue timely updates and necessary advisories to coastal and southern districts.
