October storm in Bay of Bengal after 3 years: When, where it is likely to hit

Source: The post is based on the article “October storm in Bay of Bengal after 3 years: When, where it is likely to hit” published in Indian Express on 22nd October 2022.

What is the News?

The first tropical cyclone of the post-monsoon season of 2022 is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal on October 24. The cyclone has been named Sitrang.

Note: This will be the first cyclone to develop in the Bay of Bengal in October since 2018. The last October cyclone in the Bay of Bengal was Titli in 2018.

Cyclone storms in October 

The months of October-November and May-June see storms of severe intensity develop in the North Indian Ocean — comprising the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea — with an average of five developing in a calendar year. 

In the past 131 years, October saw 61 storms develop in the Bay of Bengal. In comparison with the Bay of Bengal, only 32 storms have developed in the Arabian Sea in October since 1891.

The east coast, notably Odisha, has faced many of its severest storms in October, including the Super Cyclone of 1999.

What is the reason for the cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal in October?

After the withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon, there is a rise in ocean heating, which leads to rising in sea surface temperature over the Bay of Bengal. The atmospheric moisture availability over the ocean region, too, is higher. 

So, when remnant systems from the South China Sea reach the Bay of Bengal, they get conducive conditions, aiding the formation and intensification of cyclones in October.

About Cyclone Sitrang

The name Sitrang (read Si-trang) has been given by Thailand, and features in the list of tropical cyclone names prepared by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) being followed since April 2020. 

IMD is one of the world’s six RMSCs mandated to provide cyclone advisories and alerts to 13 member countries — Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Impact of Cyclone Sitrang

The prevailing low-pressure system will strengthen and move towards India’s east coast in the coming four days. Gale winds and enhanced rainfall are expected mainly over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh particularly the coastal districts.