`Sitrang': Cyclone to skip Andhra; farmers relieved

IMD has said the possible cyclonic formation in the Bay of Bengal will not impact Andhra Pradesh.

IMD said a low-pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the next four days. The possible cyclonic formation is likely to reach the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts by October 25.

IMD said that a low-pressure area (LPA) has formed over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of the south Andaman Sea and Southeast Bay of Bengal on Thursday morning. The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over east central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22 and into a deep depression on October 23.

Subsequently, it is very likely to recurve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over west central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal by October 24. Thereafter, it is likely to move gradually north-northeastwards and reach near West Bengal - Bangladesh coasts on October 25, skirting the Odisha coast.

IMD is yet to make a forecast on the intensity and wind speed of the cyclone. "We have not made any forecast regarding its intensity and path. Only after the system develops into a depression, we will get a clear picture about the path and intensity," IMD added.

Under the influence of the system, coastal Odisha will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places from October 23. Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts are likely to witness intense spells of rain on October 23.

Dr. Sagili Karunasagar, Scientist at IMD, Amaravati said the cyclonic storm may loom over the Bay Bengal, though it is unlikely to affect Andhra Pradesh. We are expecting to cloud and light rainfall in north coastal Andhra Pradesh due to the system,

If the weather system develops, it will be the first cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since October 2018. Once it intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be called Sitrang (pronounced as Si-trang), a name suggested by Thailand. Sitrang will be the second cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal this year after Cyclone Asani that had formed in the Bay of Bengal in May.

The recent rains have damaged standing crops in coastal Andhra Pradesh. The farming community heaved a sigh of relief after the weathermen predicted that the possible cyclonic storm will spare coastal Andhra Pradesh.