IMD warned on Saturday that a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to deepen into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning and could strengthen further into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 before making landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, late Tuesday.
“It is likely to move west-north-westwards and intensify further into a deep depression by Sunday and into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal by Tuesday morning. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards towards the Andhra coast,” it said.
The IMD cautioned that if the system strengthens as predicted, coastal Bengal could face heavy rain and squally winds between October 28 and 30, a period that overlaps with Chhath Puja festivities in the state. Local administrations, disaster response teams and civic bodies have been asked to prepare for possible flooding, waterlogging, disruptions to transport and power.
Light rain or scattered thundershowers are likely to lash several south Bengal districts from October 27 in parts of South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Purba and Paschim Medinipur.
Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas can expect light rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph in the days that follow.
Rainfall is likely to increase in North Bengal from October 28 as the cyclone approaches and its outer bands spread northwards.
IMD has forecast rough to very rough seas from Sunday evening, turning high to very high from Monday onwards. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till October 30.
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Port authorities have taken precautionary measures: Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1 is hoisted at Kolkata and Haldia ports, and Sectional Signal No. 5 is in force at Sagar Island.
(Anisha Ghosh is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
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