The IMD has not yet issued a forecast. But the state government has already started working on pre-emptive measures.
“We are expecting a low-pressure area over the southern part of Bay of Bengal by May 8 with the chance of this system intensifying further. As of now, there is much divergence on whether it will be a cyclonic storm or not and also which direction it will proceed if it is a cyclone. We should be more definite about it by Thursday,” said GK Das, director (weather) at Regional Meteorological Centre, Kolkata in an interview with TOI.
If it is a cyclone, it will be named Mocha, a name given by Yemen.
Sources in IMD said some cyclonic storms formed in May over the past few years have had direct or indirect impact in Bengal. Hence, the Met office is working closely with the state government by updating its prediction on a regular basis.
“Some cyclonic storms like Yaas, Amphan, Aila all struck in May. Some factors like high sea surface temperature and reduced wind shear around this time of the year make conditions favourable for formation of cyclonic storms over the Bay of Bengal,” added Das.
The state has started meeting all stakeholders to protect life and minimise destruction. On Tuesday, chief secretary H K Dwivedi held a meeting with the state disaster management group, NDRF, Coast Guard and Disaster, NDFR and Coastal Police to draw a plan for preparedness.Meanwhile the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also held a meeting with senior government officials on the possible cyclonic situation due to low pressure in the South Bay of Bengal.
“The chief minister said that the forecast of the cyclonic storm that comes in the summer season is very complicated. In 2019, the Fani cyclone also came suddenly and caused extensive damage. All life is precious to us. So we have to be prepared without any delay,” the statement said.
According to the statement, CM Patnaik suggested that all departments including NDRF, ODRAF and fire services should remain prepared for any kind of situation and if necessary evacuate all the people from the coastal and low-lying areas and keep them safe in the cyclone shelters. He asked to keep all necessary machines and equipment ready. He also advised to make advance plans for post-cyclone response.
The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to conduct regular reviews regarding the cyclone and the Special Relief Commissioner to closely monitor the situation and work in coordination with all departments.
For all the latest world News Click Here
