Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre issued a Special Bulletin at 5:00 PM today, warning of a possible cyclonic storm formation over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27.
According to the bulletin, a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal has been moving west-northwestwards and is likely to intensify into a depression by October 25, a deep depression by October 26, and further into a cyclonic storm by October 27 morning.
The IMD has issued Yellow and Orange warnings for several districts over the next few days.
October 24–26 (Yellow Warning): Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are likely in parts of Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and several coastal and southern districts.
October 27 (Orange Warning): Heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) may occur at one or two places in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada, while moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in Khurda, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, and interior districts.
October 28–29 (Orange Warning): Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast in coastal and southern Odisha, including Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack, as the system nears the coast.
The IMD warned of squally to gale-force winds over the Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha coast: Winds may reach 60–70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph over the central Bay by October 26 evening, intensifying to 70–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay by October 29.
Along and off the Odisha coast, wind speeds may rise from 35–45 kmph on October 26 to 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, between October 28 and 29.
Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough from October 27, turning very rough to high on October 28–29, posing risks to coastal and marine activities.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along/off Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh coasts from October 25 onwards, and the Odisha coast from October 26 onwards until further notice.
Districts including Kendrapara, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Koraput may experience: Damage to plantation crops and kutcha houses, Uprooting of trees and disruption of power and communication lines, Waterlogging and flooding in low-lying and urban areas, and Traffic disruptions and localized landslides in hilly terrain.
The IMD has urged people to: Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain or lightning; Avoid sheltering under trees or near electric poles; Secure loose structures and avoid waterlogged areas; and Stay updated with official weather alerts.
