A cyclonic storm is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by October 23, affecting the coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal, the weather department said on Sunday.
According to officials, a cyclonic disturbance has already formed over the Andaman Sea and is expected to evolve into a low-pressure area near the northern Andaman Sea within the next 24 hours.
The weather system is moving northwestward and is likely to intensify into a deep depression by October 22. By October 23, this deep depression is expected to escalate into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal, moving towards the northwestern Bay of Bengal, they said.
The coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal are on high alert as the cyclonic system approaches. Light rainfall is expected to commence in the coastal districts starting October 22, with a significant intensification of the weather conditions.
Heavy rainfall is predicted across various parts of West Bengal from October 23 onwards, affecting districts such as East and West Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas, the weather department said.
Kolkata and its surrounding regions, including North 24 Parganas, are likely to experience moderate rainfall during this period.
On October 24, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for South Bengal, with areas like Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram, and the coastal districts likely to bear the brunt of the storm, officials added.
The rain is expected to persist until October 26, with wind speeds along the coast potentially reaching 100-110 km/h. Gusty winds may also sweep through Kolkata, exacerbating the weather conditions.
According to the weather department, parts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 23 onwards.
In light of the impending storm, authorities have issued a strict warning to fishermen, advising them not to venture into the sea between October 21 and October 26, as the sea conditions will be dangerous.
Meanwhile, authorities are preparing for possible disruptions, and residents are urged to remain vigilant as the storm progresses.
