Cyclone likely in Bay of Bengal around May 9: IMD

A summer cyclone is likely to take place in the Bay of Bengal around May 9 though details of its path and intensification was not assessed as yet, the IMD said on Wednesday. IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the guidance of numerical models indicate formation of a cyclonic storm around May 9, but its movement and intensification may be determined after the low pressure area forms on May 7.However, there is no forecast so far regarding landfall over the country’s coast. But fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea from May 7, he said.Keeping in view the weather development, the Odisha government has already put collectors of 18 coastal and adjoining districts and officials of 11 departments on the alert, its special relief commissioner Satyabrata Sahu said on Wednesday. Mohapatra said a cyclonic circulation is to be formed over southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6 and under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 7. The system is likely to concentrate into a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal on May 8. “There is a good possibility of the circulation intensifying into a cyclonic storm while moving towards the central Bay of Bengal around May 9. The system is being constantly watched and monitored regularly,” he said.