Will Cyclone Sitrang make landfall in Odisha? Here’s what models indicate

Bhubaneswar: While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the formation of a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, the landfall area and peak intensity of the system was yet to be forecasted by the agency.

As per IMD, a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. It is likely to move west northwestwards and concentrate into a depression by 22nd October morning over central Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal during subsequent 48 hours.

However, there is large variation among weather models regarding track and peak intensification of this system.

The landfall point based on ECMWF, NCUM and NCEP-GFS models varies between West Bengal (Digha) to Bangladesh (Pather Ghat) coast. Landfall time is varying between 25/0000 UTC to 25/1200 UTC from these models, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) said in its bulletin today.

However, IMD-GFS model is indicating landfall over Odisha around 28/0000 UTC, the RSMC added.

The IMD was yet to make any forecast regarding landfall area and time.

The system will be named as Cyclone Sitrang after its intensification into a cyclonic storm.