The current ‘low pressure area’ over Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm” on May 25 and will reach north Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26 morning, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its update on Saturday.
Warm water temperatures and light wind shear over the northern Bay of Bengal can allow this tropical low to continue to strengthen through the rest of the weekend and into the beginning of next week.
The landfall of the cyclone, named ‘Yaas’, is expected around May 26 evening. Its intensity will, however, not be like cyclone ‘Tauktae’ which hit the western coast earlier this week.
“A ‘low pressure area’ has formed over east central Bay of Bengal on May 22 morning. It is very likely to concentrate into a ‘depression’ over east-central Bay of Bengal by May 23 morning… It is very likely to cross West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha & Bangladesh coasts around evening of May 26,” said the IMD.
Issuing a warning, it said, “The fishermen are advised not to venture into central Bay of Bengal from May 23-25 and into north Bay of Bengal and along & off West Bengal–Odisha–Bangladesh coasts from May 24-26. Those who are out in the deep sea of east-central & adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal are advised to return to the coast.”