Cyclone Alert / Odisha braces for rain and gusty winds; fishermen told to stay off sea on Nov 17-18

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: With a weather system over the southeast Bay of Bengal showing signs of further intensification, the Odisha government has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea on November 17 and 18 and has directed coastal districts to remain on alert.

The advisory, issued by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), follows forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating that the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours and subsequently strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal around November 16.

The system is expected to move northwestwards before turning north-northwestwards, though its eventual track and landfall location remain uncertain.

According to the IMD, wind speeds of 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are likely over the south Odisha coast and adjoining sea areas on November 17 and 18. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough, making fishing operations unsafe.

While weather conditions are likely to remain dry across Odisha till November 17, the influence of the developing cyclonic system is expected to be felt from November 18 onwards. Coastal districts may experience rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri and Khurda districts.

The intensity of the weather activity is expected to increase on November 19. The IMD has issued an Orange warning for Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, while nine other districts remain under a Yellow warning. On November 20, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, with heavy rainfall forecast in 12 other districts.
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Athorities have been instructed to disseminate warnings among fishing communities in Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts. Fishermen operating in deep-sea areas have been advised to return to the coast by November 15, and district administrations have been asked to ensure their safe return.

The State government said it is closely monitoring the evolving weather situation and urged coastal residents to follow official advisories and forecasts.