A depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning (October 24) and make landfall on the Bangladesh coast on Tuesday.
A bulletin issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the weather formation is likely to cross the Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip.
On Saturday, the weather bulletin said, ”It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify further into a deep depression over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal by October 23 morning. Subsequently, it is very likely to recurve gradually north-northeastwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over central Bay of Bengal by October 24 morning,” the bulletin said.
The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rain (7–20 cm) at one or two places over North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal on October 24. Wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is also part of the forecast for these districts. In Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and West Midnapore districts, wind speed of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely.
Sanjib Banerjee, Deputy Director, IMD Kolkata, said that North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas will be the districts worst affected by the cyclone. The Sundarbans, which is home to about five million people, is likely to face the brunt of the storm.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the seas. “In anticipation of the formation of cyclonic storm over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal, fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from October 23, 2022 onwards,” the advisory by the IMD said
Mr. Banerjee said that the advisory for suspension of offshore activities included restriction of ferry services in Sunderban areas.
In the past two years, the Sundarbans have been battered by tropical cyclones like Amphan (May 2020) and Yash (May 2021). The West Bengal government has convened an emergency meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary H.K. Dwivedi, to take stock of pre-cyclone preparedness. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged people to stay indoors.
