Deep depression over Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm Midhili: IMD

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The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Midhili' on Friday morning, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, reported news agency ANI.

The cyclonic storm will likely cross the Bangladesh coast close to Khepupara, packing a maximum wind speed of 80 kmph, on Friday night or early hours of Saturday, it said, reported ANI.

"Deep Depression over NW Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Midhili' (pronounced as 'Midhili'). It lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of 17th Nov over Northwest BoB about 190 km east of Paradip (Odisha), 200 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal), and 220 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh)," the Indian Meteorological Department stated in its bulletin, reported ANI.

"The cyclonic storm is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast close to Khepupara with wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph during November 17 night or early hours of November 18."

The name 'Midhili' has been given by the Maldives, reported ANI.

Countries affected by the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal cyclones rotationally give names of cyclones in a sequence. This system was adopted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and member countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP), reported ANI.

Meanwhile, the Purba Medinipur district administration in West Bengal issued an alert on the approaching cyclone Midhili, reported ANI.

District Magistrate Tanbir Afzal told ANI that special guidelines have been issued for all the blocks in the district.

"The district is awake and alert to the threat posed by Cyclone Midhili. The Block Administrative Officers have been asked to be proactive while directions have been given to close the ferry wharves in the district in the event of heavy rains," the DM said, reported ANI.

"Additional vigilance has been arranged in Digha, a coastal resort town in West Bengal popular with tourists. Rescue teams have been mobilised to deal with situations on a war footing. We are working hard to ensure that tourists do not face any problems," the official added, reported ANI.

(With inputs from ANI)