The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a grave warning on Monday as Cyclone ‘Tej,’ which initially formed over the west-central Arabian Sea, intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm. ‘Tej’ is relentlessly moving northwestward and is predicted to strike Yemen’s coast near Al Ghaidah on Tuesday morning. As the storm evolves into a very severe cyclonic storm, concerns about its potential impact continue to mount.
Rising Severity of Cyclone ‘Tej’
IMD classifies cyclonic systems into different categories based on their maximum sustained wind speeds. As ‘Tej’ progresses, it is expected to transition from an extremely severe cyclonic storm into a very severe cyclonic storm. This progression highlights the substantial danger posed by the cyclone, as wind speeds within the extremely severe category range from 166-220 kmph, and very severe cyclonic storms exhibit wind speeds between 118-165 kmph.
In a separate but concerning development, the IMD has also alerted residents of a Deep Depression forming over the west-central Bay of Bengal. This depression is currently positioned around 400 km off Odisha’s Paradip and 550 km south-southwest of West Bengal’s Digha. The IMD anticipates that the deep depression will intensify into a Cyclonic Storm in the next 24 hours, which is expected to move north-northeastwards.
Precautionary Measures and Regional Impact
The impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal may cross the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong on Wednesday evening, potentially causing adverse weather conditions. Various regions, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, and West Bengal, are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for possible light to moderate rainfall, with heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
Both Cyclone ‘Tej’ and the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal necessitate extreme caution for fishermen. The IMD has issued warnings against venturing into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal until the respective storms have passed. These developments underscore the unpredictable and potentially devastating nature of weather systems, emphasizing the importance of early warning systems and preparedness in vulnerable regions.
