Cyclone Sitrang likely to become severe today; IMD issues wind warning for several states

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted.

The system is very likely to cross Bangladesh coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip close to Barisal around 25th October early morning, the agency predicted.

The IMD has issued wind warning for several states in connection with the cyclone.

24th October: Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph prevailing along & off Odisha and West Bengal coasts. It would gradually increase becoming 60-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph along and off West Bengal coast and 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph along and off north Odisha coast from the evening hours. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely over Mizoram & Tripura.

25th October: Gale wind speed reaching 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph is likely over north Bay of Bengal and along & off Bangladesh coast; 70-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph likely along & off 24 Parganas District and 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph along & off east Medinipur district off West Bengal coast till morning. It would gradually decrease becoming 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over coastal areas of Bangladesh after evening.

Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 gusting to 65 kmph is likely along and off Balasore district & 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along & off remaining north coastal districts of Odisha in the morning.

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely over Tripura and 45- 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely over Mizoram, south Assam and adjoining east Meghalaya & Manipur.