Cyclone 'Hamoon' forms over Bay of Bengal, minimal impact expected on Indian coast
text_fields
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone named 'Hamoon,' said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
However, it is expected to have a minimal impact on the Indian coast.
As of the latest update, Cyclone Hamoon is approximately 230 km off the Paradip coast in Odisha, 360 km south of Digha in West Bengal, and 510 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh. It is moving north at a speed of 14 kmph and is predicted to further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal in the next 12 hours.
The system is likely to make landfall on the Bangladesh coast, specifically between Khepupara and Chittagong, around 12 pm on October 25, albeit as a deep depression.
While the IMD has stated that the cyclone will not have a significant impact on the Indian coast, the Odisha government has taken precautionary measures. District collectors have been directed to remain prepared for any potential eventuality, and the administration has been instructed to evacuate people from low-lying areas in case of heavy rainfall.
Meteorologist U S Dash mentioned that the system is expected to remain about 200 km away from the Odisha coast. Consequently, light to moderate rainfall is anticipated in a few coastal areas of Odisha on Monday, followed by similar conditions over the next two days.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra advised that wind speeds over the Bay of Bengal will gradually increase, reaching 80-90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph by Tuesday morning.
He noted that while Odisha will not experience a direct impact from the cyclone, there may be some concerns for Durga Puja pandals that are not designed to withstand such wind speeds.
Odisha received approximately 15 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours due to the system's influence.
The weather office predicted light to moderate rainfall in coastal areas on Monday and Tuesday. There is also a possibility of heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in some places in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur until 8.30 am on Tuesday.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the west-central Bay of Bengal until Wednesday, as well as along and off the Odisha coast and north Bay of Bengal from Monday to Wednesday.
In the neighboring state of West Bengal, the Meteorological Department forecasted thunderstorms with lightning and moderate rainfall in parts of Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, and South 24 Parganas districts for Monday and Tuesday.
While light to moderate rainfall affected some parts of the state, it did not dampen the festive spirit of revelers during 'Nabami,' a significant day in the Durga Puja celebrations. Many were seen braving the weather with colorful umbrellas at various Durga Puja pandals.
