Clarity On Path & Intensity Of Possible Cyclone Mocha After May 7; Check Likely Wind Speed Over Bay

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that details of the possible Cyclone Mocha’s path and intensification will be provided after the formation of low pressure area on March 7 under the influence of a cyclonic circulation, which is likely to develop over Southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6.

The system is likely to concentrate into a depression over the same region around May 8 and intensify into a cyclonic storm while moving nearly northwards towards central Bay of Bengal, it said.

“We have not issued any prediction about the probable cyclone and its impact on Odisha. We will be able to come up with pin-point prediction over its path, intensity and other aspects once the low pressure forms,” IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra added.

Due to the cyclonic disturbance, squally weather with wind speed reaching 40- 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas Andaman Sea from May 7. The wind speed would gradually increase becoming 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Andaman Sea during May 8-9 and over Andaman & Nicobar Islands and north Andaman Sea from May 10 onwards.

The wind speed would gradually increase, becoming 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph over the Southeast and adjoining Central Bay of Bengal from May 10 onwards.

“With the expected rough sea conditions, fishermen, small ships, boats, and trawlers are advised not to venture into the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas from May 7 onwards and into the adjoining Central Bay of Bengal from May 9 onwards,” the MeT office said.

Squally weather and heavy rainfall activity is likely over Andaman and Nicobar Islands during May 8-12, it added.

Meanwhile, the regional centre here has issued thunderstorm with lightning warning for one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Balangir, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi. There is also a forecast for light to moderate rain at a few places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Balasore and at one or two places in remaining districts during this period.

It will continue to rain in some parts of the southern districts of the state till May 11, it said, adding that the day temperature is also likely to increase by 3 to 5 degree Celsius after 24 hours.