In the wake of a developing cyclone, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until Wednesday afternoon. The depression, located over the northeastern Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a deep depression and is expected to make landfall near Khepupara in Bangladesh by Tuesday evening. As of the IMD’s latest bulletin, the deep depression is approximately 160 km east-southeast of Khepupara and 420 km east of Digha in West Bengal. It is moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph.
The meteorological agency predicts that after crossing the Bangladesh coast, the depression will move west-northwestwards across Gangetic West Bengal in the next 24 hours. Under the impact of the cyclonic system, squally conditions are anticipated along and off the Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts. Wind speeds may reach 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, with projections of further increase to 55-65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph in the next 12 hours. Coastal regions of Odisha have already experienced heavy rainfall due to the prevailing weather conditions.
The state capital, Bhubaneswar, witnessed a record-breaking rainfall of 259.2 mm in the past 24 hours until 8.30 am on Tuesday. This surpasses the previous record of 254.2 mm set on August 20, 1997. As a result of the evolving weather situation, the IMD has issued color-coded warnings for districts in the affected regions. A red warning (take action) has been declared for Angul, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar, signaling the highest level of alertness. The IMD has also issued an orange warning (be prepared) for 13 districts and a yellow warning (be updated) for 10 districts in Odisha until 8.30 am on August 2.
Authorities are closely monitoring the cyclonic developments and advising residents and fishermen in the affected areas to exercise caution and stay updated with the latest weather bulletins. With the potential for the cyclone’s impact to intensify further, residents are urged to take necessary precautions to safeguard life and property. As the cyclonic system continues to advance, it is crucial for authorities to maintain effective communication with the public and provide timely updates to ensure the safety of the affected communities.