Storm Hamoon Intensifies Into Severe Cyclone, Moves Towards Bangladesh; No Major Impact Expected In Odisha

“It is likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm in a few hours as the system moves in the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 21 kmph,” the IMD said in a bulletin.

It is expected to gradually lose intensity as it moves in a northeastern direction and make landfall on the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong on Tuesday evening as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds ranging from 65-75 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 85 kmph, as per the weather office's forecast.

‘Hamoon’ lay centered at 5.30 am at about 230 km east-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal), 280 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and 410 km southwest of Chittagong (Bangladesh), it said.

“The cyclone, which passes in the sea, will remain about 200 km from Odisha coast and therefore, no major impact is expected in the state other than light to moderate rainfall in the coastal areas,” a Met Department official said.

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone on Monday evening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, maintaining that it would not have any major impact on the Indian coast.

The cyclonic storm has been christened 'Hamoon', a name given by Iran.

The Odisha government had?asked all the district collectors on Monday to remain prepared for any eventuality, and directed the administration to evacuate people from low-lying areas in the event of heavy rain.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring West Bengal, the Met department forecast thunderstorms with lightning and moderate rainfall in parts of Purba Medinipur, Kolkata and South 24 Parganas districts on Monday and Tuesday.

Light to moderate rainfall in some parts of the state dampened the festive mood of revellers on 'Nabami', though people were seen braving the weather with colourful umbrellas at various Durga Puja pandals.