NB Explains | Bay of Bengal storm intensifies into Cyclone Midhili; All you need to know about 'Midhili'

In a week-long crescendo, the system brewing in the Bay of Bengal has evolved into a full-fledged cyclone that has been named 'Midhili' , and it shall maintain this robust intensity as it hurtles towards an imminent landfall within the next 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

As per the latest update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Deep Depression over northwest Bay of Bengal moved further north-northeastwards at a speed of 20 kmph, intensifying into the Cyclonic Storm ‘Midhili’ during today’s early morning hours.

 

As of 5:30 am today, the system lay centred about 190 km east of Paradip (Odisha), 200 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) and 220 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh). From here, it will continue moving north-northeastwards, hitting peak intensity of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm today.

 

Thereafter, Midhili will cross the Bangladesh coast, close to Khepupara, between late Friday night and the early hours of Saturday. It will retain its Cyclonic Storm status during landfall, packing wind speed of 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph.

 

 

 

 

 

Cyclone Midhili is set to trigger widespread light to moderate rains along with isolated heavy showers (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) across coastal West Bengal, south Assam, east Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura (NMMT) during the next 24-48 hours. Mizoram and Tripura may also be in for isolated extremely heavy downpours (more than 204.5 mm) for the next 24 hours.

 

Given these predictions, both Mizoram and Tripura have been placed on an orange alert (meaning 'be prepared' for rough conditions) for today, while the rest of the impacted subdivisions will remain on a yellow watch ('be aware' of the weather situation).

 

 

 

 

Moreover, moderate flash flood risk has also been declared over some of the watersheds and neighbourhoods in NMMT and Gangetic West Bengal for the next 24 hours. The IMD has also specified the expected damage and actions to be taken for the coastal residents of West Bengal and the northeastern states; these are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The storm’s presence will also trigger very rough to high sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal, and therefore, the fisherfolk have been advised against venturing into the waters. Cyclone Midhili will be the second successive cyclonic storm in two months to ravage the Bay of Bengal; the first being Cyclone Hamoon, which strengthened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm and made landfall over Bangladesh around mid-October.

 

Owing to the difference in wind patterns and sea surface temperatures, the North Indian Ocean has a history of generating tropical cyclones from October to December, a period that has been aptly christened the post-monsoon cyclone season.

 

 

 

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