Odisha: In the latest weather forecast, the Indian Meteorological Department has stated that a depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to turn into a severe storm leading to the Cyclone Amphan by the evening today. The IMD stated that a well marked low-pressure intensified into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am this morning and is likely to further intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours.
Mr.H R Biswas, Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre stated, “The depression, which is around 1,250 km south of Digha in West Bengal and 1,330 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh, is likely to intensify rapidly into a cyclonic storm by Saturday evening and then into a severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours.”
In its latest bulletin, the department said, “It is very likely to move northwestwards initially till May 17 and then re-curve towards north-northeast of northern Bay of Bengal between May 18-20.”
Meanwhile, the weather body has also forecasted a heavy downpour along the coastal areas and in the isolated regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well. The report also forecasts an “adverse weather” along and off Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal coasts for the next five-six days.
On Friday, the government of Odisha directed all district collectors to arrange alternative shelter homes for people and advised fishermen not to venture into the south and the central Bay of Bengal from May 15. Those who were already out at sea over these regions have been advised to return to coasts.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been coordinating with the governments of Odisha & West Bengal and has predeployed 4 teams each in both the states. There are more than 20 more teams of NDRF that are prepared to cope up with the calamity, in case it happens.
The NDRF along with the state governments and IMD is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, scattered to widespread rain accompanied with lightning and gusty winds is expected over south peninsular India during the next 4-5 days. An isolated heavy rainfall activity is expected over Kerala during the next 5 days.
A similar downpour is forecasted over south interior Karnataka from May 15-17 and over Coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep on May 15 and 16 as well. Northeastern states are also likely to experience scattered to widespread rain over the next 5 days.