Cyclone Dana to Hit Coast on October 24

Visakhapatnam: Cyclone Dana, as christened by Qatar, may form over east central Bay of Bengal on October 23. It is very likely to move north-westwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast in its latest bulletin on Sunday.

IMD director general Mrityunjay Mohapatra said the system is exhibiting characteristics of a multi-cyclonic model.

Peninsular India is already experiencing persistent rainfall over parts of Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, interior and coastal Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It may intensify over the next two to four days.

As per IMD, Amaravati, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over north and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema from Monday to Wednesday. Thereafter, heavy rainfall may fall over isolated places in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till the system crosses the coast.

Providing details, the IMD said a low pressure area is very likely to form over the east central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over east central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-westwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning.

This development could impact the coastal areas of northern Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh in the coming week, the report explained.

Incidentally, weather experts commonly refer to October as the "Month of Cyclones."