Cyclone Alert / Cyclone Akvan may form over Bay of Bengal by Nov 16; Odisha braces for rain

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: Odisha has stepped up preparedness measures as a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is forecast to intensify into a cyclonic storm, likely to be named Akvan, by November 16, officials said on Friday.

While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to indicate the system's precise track or landfall location, the State government has alerted district administrations and asked them to remain vigilant ahead of possible adverse weather conditions next week.

System Intensifying

According to the IMD, the low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is gradually intensifying and is likely to become a well-marked low-pressure area by Friday. The system is expected to strengthen into a depression by the morning of November 15 and subsequently move north-northwestwards over the Bay of Bengal.

Meteorologists have indicated that the weather system may further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of November 16. If it attains cyclonic storm intensity, it will be named Akvan, a name contributed by Iran.

Track Remains Uncertain

Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty, said greater clarity regarding the system's trajectory and possible landfall location would emerge only after it develops into a depression.

At present, there is no definitive indication whether the system will move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, the Odisha coast, or recurve towards Bangladesh. Weather agencies are closely monitoring developments over the Bay of Bengal and are expected to issue updated forecasts in the coming days.

Government on Alert

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the IMD had not yet shared any assessment regarding the possible impact of the developing weather system on Odisha. However, the State government has already initiated precautionary measures.

"Though the IMD has not made any prediction, we have already taken precautionary measures and informed district collectors in northern, southern and coastal regions to remain prepared and vigilant regarding the system developing over the sea," Pujari said.

Sources in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department said the Minister is expected to hold a review meeting with senior officials to assess preparedness and evaluate the possible impact of the evolving weather system.

Rainfall Forecast

The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts on November 18 and 19.

On November 18, light-to-moderate rainfall is likely over coastal Odisha and parts of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph may occur at several places. Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two locations in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts.

Rainfall activity is expected to expand across both coastal and interior Odisha on November 19. Heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
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Historical Context

Meteorological records show that between 1901 and 2025, as many as 21 cyclonic storms or more intense weather systems crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast during November, underlining the Bay of Bengal's history of significant late-season cyclonic activity.

Meteorologists have advised residents to closely follow official weather bulletins as the system develops further over the Bay of Bengal and its future course becomes clearer.