Cyclone Sitrang: Depression over Bay of Bengal intensifies, heavy rain alert issued
The depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression about 580 km east of Port Blair on Sunday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department.
It is likely to concentrate into a cyclone by October 24 over the central Bay of Bengal and is likely to cross the Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip around October 25, the weather department added.
Depression over eastcentral Bay of Bengal intensifiedinto a Deep Depression about 580 km northwest of Port Blair. To intensify into a cyclonic storm over central Bay of Bengal. To cross Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip around 25th October early morning. pic.twitter.com/R5Q45bQHFE — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 23, 2022
It turned into a depression from a low-pressure area over the north Andaman sea and adjoining south Andaman sea concentrated on Saturday.
As the depression moves towards the central Bay of Bengal, strong and gusty winds with a speed of up to 100 kmph are being witnessed.
West Bengal and Odisha are on alert over a possible cyclone. Coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal will receive widespread heavy rainfall till Tuesday, with moderate to heavy rainfall likely over southern Assam, east Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura on Monday, the IMD said.
Further, extremely heavy rainfall will lash Tripura and Mizoram on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal will receive widespread heavy rainfall till October 25. Moderate to heavy intensity rainfall is likely over Assam and Meghalaya on Monday.
WEST BENGAL, ODISHA GEAR UP
The Odisha and West Bengal governments have buckled up amid heavy rainfall prompted by cyclone Sitrang – a name proposed by Thailand.
The West Bengal government has been evacuating people from low-lying areas in several districts to avert possible damage due to the cyclone. At least 14 teams of the NDRF have been deployed in the state.
On the other hand, Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallick said personnel of the fire service department, the ODRAF and NDRF are on standby for any emergency.