Cyclone Sitrang To Make Landfall In Bangladesh On Tuesday, IMD Issues Advisory

In wake of Cyclone Sitrang, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an advisory pertaining to the suspension of offshore activities in the north Bay of Bengal from October 24-25.

New Delhi: Cyclone Sitrang is likely to move north-northeastwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday. The Cyclone gathered pace over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday and is very likely to cross the Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip close to Barisal on Tuesday early morning, the India Meteorological Department said in a statement.

"Continuing to move north-northeastwards thereafter, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip close to Barisal around October 25 early morning," the department said.

In wake of Cyclone Sitrang, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an advisory pertaining to the suspension of offshore activities in the north Bay of Bengal from October 24-25. The IMD has also issued a warning of the possible impact of the storm in North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts of West Bengal. 

"Due to the cyclonic storm over West Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal and its likely intensification into a severe cyclonic storm, fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till 25th Ocober'2022," ANI quoted IMD as saying in a statement.

The department predicted the possible changes and said that thatched huts would likely be damaged. According to the advisory, the department suggested major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads and waterlogging in the Corporation and Municipality low-lying area. 

The release from the department said that wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph and gradually increasing becoming 60-80 mph gusting to 90 kmph is likely over North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts on Monday.

Talking about the preparedness for the cyclone, Kolkata Municipal Corporation mayor-in-council Debasish Kumar said that necessary precautions had been worked out. "Necessary precautions regarding the cyclone ('Sitrang') have been worked out. More impact is expected in Kolkata, so teams will be deployed in the control room & every borough office for 24 hours," ANI quoted Debashish as saying.

"It is very likely to move north-northeastwards, and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm tomorrow, the 24th of October. Continuing to move north-northeastwards thereafter, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip, close to Barisal around 25th October early morning," the release said.

(With ANI Inputs)