Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Tuesday that the predicted depression over the central regions of the Bay of Bengal may intensify further in light of the rising mercury levels and thunderstorm activity in Odisha.
“A cyclonic circulation lies over Southwest Bay of Bengal coast. Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over southwest Bay of Bengal by May 22. It is very likely to move northeastwards and concentrate into a Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by morning of May 24. It would continue to move northeastwards and intensify further thereafter.”
On the other hand, no forecast on the system’s likelihood of intensifying into a cyclone has yet been made. Heavy rain is expected in the Balasore district on May 25, according to the weather service. There is also a chance of thunderstorms and lightning in one or two locations in North Coastal Odisha, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, and Dhenkanal, along with gusty surface winds of up to 30 to 40 kmph.
It has specifically cautioned fishermen off the coasts of northern Odisha and West Bengal to stay ashore on May 23 and 24 as sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely over south Bay of Bengal on May 21-22. It would gradually increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from May 23 morning. It would extend to adjoining areas of North Bay of Bengal with increased wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from May 24 morning and over northeast Bay of Bengal & adjoining north west & east central Bay of Bengal from May 25 morning for subsequent 24 hours. “Sea condition is likely to be moderate to rough over southwest Bay of Bengal on May 21-22, rough to very rough over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from May 23 and over North Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards.”
The cyclone, which would be called Remal, would be the first of 2024’s pre-monsoon season if it were to emerge. The approaching southwest monsoon breeze may prove to be a constraining factor, according to meteorologists. Lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and climate scientist Dr. Roxy Koll was quoted by TNIE as saying, “If that’s the case, this will end up as a monsoon depression bringing rains, otherwise, it could develop into a weak cyclone of a short duration.”
Manorama Mohanty, the director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, had earlier informed the media that the IMD is closely monitoring the probable system and asked people not to worry or disseminate any false information.
