Cyclone Sitrang threat for AP, Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Meteorological Department, on Friday, said that a surface circulation will form over the North Andaman Sea on the 18th of this month (October), which will gradually strengthen and become a low pressure by the 20th.

"A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood around October 18, 2022. It would move west-northwestwards towards west-central and adjoining the southwest Bay of Bengal becoming a low-pressure area around October 20, 2022," said Telangana IMD Director K Nagrathna.

The low pressure is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclone, that will move towards Andhra Pradesh. "If the same continues, there's a chance of it becoming a major storm," said the Meteorological Department.

Officials said that this major cyclone may severely impact Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana. The Meteorological Department has warned people of heavy rains and floods ahead, due to the prevailing low pressure. However, it seems through Twitter that the teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also alerted about the impending storm. Several states were also alerted.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department revealed that if this cyclone occurs, it will be called 'Sitrang', as suggested by Thailand which translates into 'Unrelinquished.'