The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Sunday after a cyclonic circulation is predicted over the southeast Bay of Bengal later this week.
"It is likely to concentrate into a depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on May 8. Thereafter, there is a good possibility of its intensification while moving nearly northwards towards the central Bay of Bengal," the IMD said in a release posted on its website.
The weather agency said the details regarding its path and intensification will be provided after the formation of a low-pressure area.
The low-pressure area has to further develop into a depression and then into a deep depression before it can become a cyclone. The system will be named cyclone 'Mocha' if it intensifies into a cyclonic storm.
Besides the IMD, the US weather forecast model Global Forecast System and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts too predict the formation of a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, Odisha is on high alert following the forecast. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a high-level meeting to review the state's preparedness to deal with a cyclone on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister said it was difficult to determine the path of cyclones during summer while recalling cyclone Fani, which hit the Odisha coast in 2019
He advised officials to shift people who live in low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, if necessary, and formulate plans for relief and restoration works in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Patnaik asked Chief Secretary PK Jena to review the situation regularly, and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu to work in coordination with all departments and districts.
Jena said the state will work to ensure 'zero casualty' if a cyclone hits the state. "All Collectors have been alerted in this regard. The cyclone shelters are in readiness while more safe places, including school buildings, have been identified," he added.
Sahu said 24x7 control rooms have already been made operational in all districts. "The collectors of 18 coastal and adjoining districts have been told to remain prepared," he said.
A total of 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 20 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been kept on standby, he said.