Cyclonic Storm Alert: IMD Predicts Severe Storm Over Bay of Bengal

Strategic Insights -

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a severe cyclonic storm expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, in the evening or night of October 28. The storm is likely to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and squally weather to the south Odisha coast, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph and gusting up to 110 kmph. Fishermen have been advised to return to shore immediately, and the IMD has asked all Odisha ports to hoist Distant Cautionary Signal No. I.

Key Takeaways:

  • The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression by October 26.
  • The system is expected to further strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27.
  • The storm is likely to move northwestwards and then north-northwestwards, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.
  • The maximum sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
  • The storm is likely to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and squally weather to the south Odisha coast, with wind speeds increasing from 35-45 kmph to 60-70 kmph from October 26 to October 29.
  • Fishermen have been advised to return to shore immediately, and the IMD has asked all Odisha ports to hoist Distant Cautionary Signal No. I.
  • The storm is expected to cause damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops, as well as minor damage to kutcha houses, walls, power, and communication lines.
  • Waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall are also expected in several urban areas.

Statistics:

  • Maximum sustained wind speeds: 90-100 kmph (gusting up to 110 kmph)
  • Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35-45 kmph (gusting to 55 kmph) is likely to prevail along and off the south Odisha coast from October 26 evening.
  • Wind speeds are expected to increase to 45-55 kmph (gusting to 65 kmph) by October 27 evening, and further to 60-70 kmph (gusting to 80 kmph) from October 28 evening to early October 29.

Sources:

  • "Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today said that the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal (BoB) is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression by October 26." - United News of India
  • "According to the forecast, the storm is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph." - United News of India