The deep depression that formed in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm Midhili in the next 24 hours. As per the latest update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) it moved in a north-northeast direction and is currently 320 km south-southeast of Paradeep.
Though there will no direct impact of the weather system on Odisha or West bengal, fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till November 18 as widespread light to moderate showers, along with isolated heavy rains is likely at some places.
"The deep depression that formed today morning in the Bay of Bengal moved in a north-northeast direction. It is about 320 km south-southeast of Paradeep. We are expecting the system to further intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and likely to cross the Bangladesh coast. But, there will be no direct impact on Odisha though fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till November 18," said MET Scientist Uma Shankar Das.
"The weather system is likely to continue moving north-northeastwards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and cross Bangladesh coast between Mongla and Khepupara with wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph by the early hours of 18th November, 2023," the IMD weather bulletin read.
Once the weather system intensifies into a Cyclonic Storm post-Friday midnight, it will be named Cyclone Midhili — a name proposed by the Maldives.
Midhili will be the second storm to hit Bangladesh in less than a month. On October 25, cyclone Hamoon had crossed near southern Chittagong.
The North Indian Ocean is known for generating tropical cyclones from October to December due to which this period is called as the post-monsoon cyclone season.