The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Cyclonic Storm 'Hamoon' has now intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Northwest Bay of Bengal.
A post by IMD on X read: "SCS Hamoon over Northwest BoB moved northeastwards with a speed of 21 kmph & lay centered at 0530 hrs IST, 24 Oct over the same region, about 230 km east-southeast of Paradip(Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal), 280 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh)."
The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to cross the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong around noon on Wednesday as a Deep Depression.
Though it is unlikely to affect Indian coasts, the Odisha government has sounded alert. The state has reportedly asked all the district collectors to remain prepared for any eventuality and directed the administration to evacuate people from low-lying areas in the event of heavy rain.
"The system (cyclone) will move over the sea around 200 km from Odisha coast," weather scientist U S Dash was quoted by PTI on Monday evening. He added that light to moderate rainfall is likely at a few places in coastal Odisha on Monday and at many places over the next two days.
The state has already received rainfall in its coastal areas (15 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours) and showers are likely to continue on Tuesday too. Heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) might occur at one or two places in Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, it said.
Authorities have also warned fishermen not to venture into the west-central Bay of Bengal till Wednesday, and along and off the Odisha coast and north Bay of Bengal.
Besides Odisha, neighbouring West Bengal and most places in the northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and south Assam will receive rainfall from Tuesday till Thursday. Heavy rain is likely to continue in the regions on October 25, which will decrease by October 26, with light to moderate rainfall at a few places.
Light to moderate rainfall is expected in south Assam and eastern Meghalaya on October 24-25, with the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in south Assam, according to IMD.