Brewing Bay Blasts: Bay of Bengal’s Bold Low-Pressure Onslaught on Odisha

Double Trouble Brewing Over Odisha’s Coast

The Bay of Bengal is gearing up for another potential cyclone just days after Diwali celebrations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised warnings about a low-pressure area moving toward the coast, which may intensify into a cyclone by Sunday. With one active low-pressure system already affecting the region, authorities are on high alert, wary of a scenario reminiscent of last year’s Dana cyclone.

First Low-Pressure System Crawls Slowly

The first low-pressure area is currently moving northwest at a sluggish 3 km/hr over the Bay of Bengal. IMD forecasts indicate:

• Oct. 25: Likely to develop into a depression

• Oct. 26: Expected to become a well-marked low-pressure system

• Oct. 27: Potential to intensify into a full-fledged cyclone

Favourable winds and rising sea surface temperatures are aiding intensification, though no landfall has been reported yet, keeping coastal populations on edge.

Second Low-Pressure System Races Across Southeast Bay

Adding to the concern, a second low-pressure system has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the south Andaman Sea. Unlike the first, this system is moving rapidly west-northwest and is expected to strengthen quickly:

• Within a day, it may intensify significantly

• The following day, it could form a well-defined low-pressure vortex

This rapid development increases the risk of heavy rainfall and localized flooding across Odisha.

IMD Forecast: Heavy Rainfall Expected

The IMD predicts widespread rainfall over the state in the coming days:

• Coastal and south Odisha: Heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations

• North interior districts: Heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few areas

• South interior Odisha: Isolated downpours

Officials advise residents to remain cautious, stock essential supplies, and monitor weather updates closely. As an IMD official noted, “It’s a typical October gamble for us,” referring to Odisha’s history with super cyclones such as the 1999 disaster.

Safety First: Stay Alert

While there is no widespread panic yet, authorities urge the public to stay prepared. In cyclone-prone regions, even a small shift in wind or rainfall can dramatically alter outcomes. The message is clear: stay informed, stay safe, and be ready for changing weather conditions.