After cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’ formed a deep depression over the Bangladesh coast leaving at least five dead, the remnant of the storm has further weakened into a depression over northeast Bangladesh, north-northeast of Agartala and south-southwest of Shillong, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, according to the news agency ANI.
Tides also hit the coast of Bakkhali beach in South 24 Parganas, as per the agency. Tourists and locals have been warned against venturing near the sea.
"Deep Depression over Bangladesh (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm "SITRANG") further weakened into a Depression and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of over northeast Bangladesh and neighbourhood about 90 km north-northeast of Agartala, and 100 km south-southwest of Shillong," tweeted the IMD.
Five people were killed in Barguna, Narail, Sirajganj districts and the island district of Bhola, in Bangladesh according to the AFP report that cited a disaster ministry control room spokesperson.
The cyclonic storm "Sitrang" pronounced as "Si-Trang" over the northwest and adjoining the central Bay of Bengal crossed the Bangladesh coast between Tinkona and Sandwip close to Barisal during 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Monday with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, IMD said.
"The cyclone is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and weaken into a depression during next 6 hours and further into a well-marked low-pressure area during subsequent 6 hours," it further said.
IMD update for northeastern states
The weather department already issued a red alert indicating heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall has been issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rain at isolated places is likely to occur over Tripura on Monday and Tuesday, said the IMD on Monday.
"Under Sitrang influence, widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms/lightning/heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rain at isolated places is very likely to occur over Tripura on 24th & 25th October 2022," the release said.
Preparations for the cyclone
Disaster Management Authorities in Meghalaya have been kept on high alert as Cyclone Sitrang is expected bring heavy rain in the region. The entire state on Monday received light to moderate rainfall causing minor disruption of power supplies.
In at least four districts bordering Bangladesh, the administration directed the authorities to keep all educational institutes shut on Tuesday in view of the cyclone.
The districts are East and West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills. Other districts were directed to keep all field officers alert at all times, monitor the situation and report in case of emergency, the officials said, reported news agency PTI.
The West Bengal government has taken all the precautionary measures, including evacuation of people, and supply of relief material to shelters, to tackle the possible impact of Cyclone 'Sitrang'.
Civil defence teams are deployed at Bakkhali Sea Beach in South 24 Parganas. Tourists are not allowed to visit the beach and the shops have also been closed. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday appealed to the people to "stay alert" as there is a high chance of rain on Tuesday due to cyclone Sitrang.
"There is a high chance of rain on October 25. There is an appeal to the people to avoid going out unnecessarily or to the sea areas including the Sundarbans. The state govt has made arrangements," said CM Mamata Banerjee, reported news agency ANI.