Heavy Rainfall Alert: Cyclone ‘Hamoon’ Gathers Strength, Multiple States on High Alert

Cyclone Hamoon, now a severe cyclonic storm, has gained intensity over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, warns the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This cyclone is expected to maintain its north-northeastward trajectory and is predicted to reach the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong around noon on October 25, 2023, potentially as a deep depression.

The impact of this severe cyclonic storm will encompass northeastern states, including Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya, as well as south Assam. These regions are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall, with heavier downpours expected in Mizoram on October 24 and even more intense rainfall in Tripura. The risk of heavy rain will persist on October 25, although the intensity is expected to diminish by October 26, transitioning into light to moderate rainfall in select areas.

South Assam and eastern Meghalaya are also in the path of Hamoon, with anticipated light to moderate rainfall on October 24-25 and the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in south Assam.

Coastal districts of Odisha are not exempt from the storm’s influence, as light to moderate rainfall is expected across most areas on October 24.

Likewise, coastal districts of West Bengal should prepare for weather disturbances. The Meteorological Department has forecasted light to moderate rainfall across most locations on October 24, with isolated heavy rainfall in coastal areas of West Bengal.

Cyclonic Storm Hamoon is also generating strong winds across the Bay of Bengal and various regions of Eastern India. Squally winds ranging from 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are anticipated along and off the Odisha coast until October 24. These winds will extend to the West Bengal, Bangladesh, and North Myanmar coasts from the morning of October 24. The speeds are expected to increase, reaching 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph along and off the Bangladesh coast, 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph along and off the North Myanmar coast, and 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph along and off the West Bengal coast on October 25th.

On October 25, squally winds with speeds ranging from 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely to prevail over Mizoram and Tripura. Additionally, strong winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are expected over South Assam and Manipur on the same day.