Cyclone Sitrang: Bengal, Odisha Brace For Cyclonic Storm on Diwali
The IMD has informed that a tropical cyclone may form over the Bay of Bengal around October 23, 2022, and October 24, 2022.
As per an update provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a tropical cyclone may form over the west-central part of the Bay of Bengal around October 23, 2022, and October 24, 2022.
The Bhubaneshwar centre of the IMD has said that the cyclonic circulation that formed over the south of Andaman Sea on October 17, 2022, now lies over the north Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood. Due to this, a low-pressure area may form over the southeast and adjoining the east-central Bay of Bengal during the next 48 hours.
The circulation is likely to move westwards and concentrate into a depression over central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 22, 2022. The IMD has predicted that this may subsequently intensify into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
What Will Be The Consequences Of This Cyclone?
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the prevailing weather conditions may take the shape of a cycle around October 23 or 24. Due to this, there is a possibility of isolated rainfall over Odisha up to October 23, 2022.
He added, “We have not predicted the intensity and possible area of landfall of the impending cyclone as it is yet to take the shape of a low-pressure area." He also said that the IMD is monitoring the system closely.
Due to the current weather conditions and the possibility of a cyclone, the weather department has advised fishermen not to venture into the deep-sea area of the Bay of Bengal from October 22 till further notice.
Cyclone ‘Sitrang’
If the current conditions intensify into a cyclone, it will be called cyclone Sitrang. This name was chosen as per the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) guidelines for naming tropical cyclones.
Talking about the cyclone, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said “IMD’s extended range forecast does point to a probable cyclogenesis developing into a depression after October 21. We aren’t ruling out the possibility of this system intensifying into a cyclone. But it’s too early to say how much it will intensify, as the circulation hasn’t formed yet."
Along with West Bengal, the state of Odisha is also concerned about cyclone Sitrang. The Chief Secretary of the state said that all the departments in Odisha have been instructed to be prepared for any eventuality and make all the necessary arrangements as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). They have also ordered adequate stock of medicines, halogen tablets, and bleaching powder and have asked ambulances and doctors to be fully prepared.