Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: There is no need for people to panic over reports of a possible cyclone developing in the Bay of Bengal, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not made any forecast about the formation of a cyclone so far, IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
Speaking in Sambalpur during the inauguration of a Doppler weather radar, Dr Mohapatra said the IMD was closely monitoring the evolving weather system and would issue forecasts and warnings based on its further development.
“The picture will become clearer after September 19. An accurate forecast will be issued well in advance along with necessary warnings. Therefore, there is no need to get scared by cyclone-related rumours,” he said.
According to the IMD chief, a cyclonic circulation has formed near the Thailand coast and is expected to move into the North Andaman Sea by September 18. The system is likely to concentrate into a low-pressure area over the East-Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Andaman Sea by the evening of September 19.
Thereafter, the system may move in a north-westward direction towards the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts. However, Dr Mohapatra clarified that it is too early to determine whether the low-pressure area will intensify into a depression or a cyclone.
Despite the uncertainty over its intensity, the system is likely to influence weather conditions in Odisha, with heavy rainfall expected at several places.
Meanwhile, projections from some international weather models have indicated the possibility of further intensification of the system during the coming week. These model projections have triggered discussions about a potential cyclone along the east coast.
However, the IMD has emphasised that model projections at this stage should not be treated as a confirmed cyclone forecast. The weather agency will continue to monitor the system and issue timely updates, forecasts and advisories as its movement and intensity become clearer.
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