A low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, November 23, and is expected to move west-northwest, intensifying into a depression by Monday, November 24, over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre, the system will remain far from Odisha’s coast, resulting in minimal impact on the state.
While the exact path and potential for further intensification into a cyclone remain unclear at this stage, the next 48 hours after the depression forms will be crucial for assessing its strength. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts light to moderate rainfall in the Andaman region on November 23 and 24, with increased precipitation expected by the 24th.
The low-pressure system’s intensification process is projected to occur well away from Odisha, ensuring dry weather across the state for the next seven days. No significant rainfall is anticipated in Odisha before November 27, allowing the ongoing winter chill and dry conditions to persist. Districts like Sundargarh and Kalahandi are already experiencing cold waves and fog, with no major changes expected in the weather pattern for at least a week.
This dry spell is seen as good news for farmers, as it will not hinder the ongoing paddy harvest. However, Mohanty advised farmers to promptly harvest and store their crops as a precaution. The sea conditions are expected to remain rough due to the system, prompting a ban on deep-sea fishing for fishermen until November 28.
In the past 24 hours, Phulbani recorded the lowest temperature at 14°C, with cold waves felt in several areas. Dense fog was reported in Rourkela, Sundargarh district. Night temperatures across the state are likely to rise by up to 3°C over the next week.
Although various weather models predict possible rain in Odisha over the next four days, the IMD has not issued any alerts yet, emphasising that the system’s path is distant from the state’s coastline.
