At least seven coastal districts of Odisha have been put on alert amid a low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea, which is likely to develop into a depression and eventually into a cyclone by December 2. Named as Michaung, as proposed by Myanmar, it marks the 4th tropical storm in the Bay of Bengal and the 6th in Indian seas this year.
A low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a depression and later into a cyclonic storm, said Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo in his letter to collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts. Fishermen warned against venturing into the sea
The letter also warned that fishermen should be discouraged from venturing into the sea from the morning of December 1 and those who have gone to the sea should return by that date. The same letter was also marked to the state Fisheries and Animal Resources Department.
The exact path of the system will be known once the low-pressure area intensifies into a depression, said Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre’s Director HR Biswas. Biswas also added that light to moderate rains and thundershowers are likely in some areas of Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur on December 3. In his letter, Sahoo said wind speed may reach up to 40-50 kmph over the central Bay of Bengal from December 1, and it may increase to 50-60 kmph on December 2. As the sea conditions are likely to be very rough, fishermen are advised not to venture out from December 1, the letter warned further.
“The Fisheries and Animal Resources Department will ensure communication of warning/ alert messages to fishermen, and boats plying in the sea and details of boats and fishermen returned regularly,” he said.
Cyclone Michaung named by Myanmar
On Tuesday, private weather forecaster, Skymet Weather Services, said that the upcoming tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal requires 36-48 more hours. The storm’s likely path hinges on steering currents and the position of the subtropical ridge. It marks the 4th tropical storm in the Bay of Bengal and the 6th in Indian seas this year. It has been named Michaung as proposed by Myanmar.