Cyclonic storm may reach Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts by Oct 25: IMD

The Indian Met Department today (October 20, 2022) said the potential cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal is likely to recurve and reach Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts by October 25.

A low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal today and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the next four days, the IMD said in a statement, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The low-pressure is very likely to move west-northwestwards and develop into a depression over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22. It is likely to intensify into a deep depression by October 23.

"Subsequently, it is likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal by October 24. Thereafter, it is likely to gradually move north-northeastwards and reach near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts by October 25, skirting (eastern Indian state of Odisha)," IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said.

He said the IMD is yet to make a forecast on the intensity and wind speed of the cyclone.

Earlier this morning, the IMD said the low-pressure area is likely to deepen into a depression by October 22 and into a cyclonic storm by October 24.

The IMD has also advised fishermen to return to coast by October 22 as sea conditions will be rough.

Meanwhile, according to the weather forecast of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the low pressure is likely to turn into a depression within the next 72 hours, which is likely to cause moderate to heavy rainfall in the coastal areas, reports our Bogura correspondent.

Akm Nazmul Haque, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, told The Daily Star, "A low pressure has formed in the sea today, under its influence, there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rains in the coastal areas of the country. "

When asked if the depression will take the form of a cyclone, he said, "If the low pressure becomes stronger by taking the form of a deep depression, then there is a possibility, but nothing can be said for sure about the from so long ago."