Orange alert for heavy rainfall in NE, pre-cyclone alert issued for West Bengal coast

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• May 23, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

This system is forecasted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and approach the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts...

Digital Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a pre-cyclone watch for the West Bengal coast, signaling the potential formation of a cyclonic storm. 

According to the latest IMD bulletin, a well-marked low-pressure area currently situated over the West-central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal is expected to develop into a cyclonic storm by the morning of May 25th, 2024. This system is forecasted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and approach the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by the evening of May 26th.

In preparation for the expected weather conditions, the IMD has forecasted squally weather to spread to the adjoining areas of the North Bay of Bengal. Gale-force winds are expected to reach speeds of 60-70 kmph, with gusts up to 80 kmph starting on the morning of May 25th. By the following morning, wind speeds are projected to escalate further to 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph over the North Bay of Bengal. Additionally, the central Bay of Bengal will experience wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph, persisting for the next 24 hours.

The IMD has also issued an orange alert for the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places due to the cyclone's trajectory.

Similarly, the IMD has cautioned against venturing into the Bay of Bengal, as sea conditions are expected to become rough to very rough from May 23rd over the central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal and from the evening of May 24th over the North Bay of Bengal, lasting until the morning of May 27th. Fishermen are strongly advised to avoid the sea until May 27th, and those currently at sea should return to the coast immediately.