The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to escalate into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours. This cyclonic storm is predicted to persist until 5:30 pm on October 24, 2023, before degrading into a deep depression by 5:30 am the next day.
IMD predicts cyclonic storm
The IMD forecasts that the system will move almost north-northeastward and make landfall between Khepupara and Chattogram on the Bangladesh coast around the evening of October 25 as a deep depression.
A cyclonic disturbance is classified as a depression if the associated sustained maximum wind speed at surface level is between 17-27 knots, with one knot equating to 1.86 kilometres per hour. If the sustained maximum wind speed increases to 28-33 knots, it becomes a deep depression. When the maximum average surface wind speed ranges from 34 to 47 knots, it is termed a cyclonic storm.
At present, the system is situated 360 km south of Paradip (Odisha), 510 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal), and 660 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).
Jason Nicholls, the lead international forecaster meteorologist at AccuWeather, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that this strengthening depression over the Bay of Bengal could transform into a cyclonic storm before affecting Northeast India and Bangladesh around midweek.
Heavy rainfall
The IMD has also issued a rainfall warning for Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, south Assam, and Meghalaya. Light to moderate rainfall is expected in these areas, with isolated heavy rainfall predicted over Mizoram and heavy to very heavy rainfall over Tripura on October 23 and 24. The same region is likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on October 25 as well. The intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease on October 26.
In Odisha, light to moderate showers are anticipated in most places on October 23 and 24. Isolated heavy rainfall over coastal areas of north Odisha is also likely on these days.
Coastal districts of West Bengal are also expected to experience light to moderate rainfall at most places on October 23 and 24. The IMD has also warned of potential damage to paddy crops, horticulture, and vegetables in the districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Howrah, and Hooghly.
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