SRC Issues Warning to Fishermen as IMD Predicts Low Pressure Over BoB

Bhubaneswar: In response to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of a likely low-pressure area forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued an advisory urging fishermen to avoid venturing into the Bay of Bengal from May 23 onwards.

The SRC and Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu addressed a letter to the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department and the Collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore, highlighting the potential weather risks.

According to the IMD’s bulletin issued at 0830 hours IST on May 20, 2024, the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected by May 22. This system is anticipated to develop into a depression, leading to squally wind conditions with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, over the central Bay of Bengal starting from the morning of May 23. These conditions are expected to extend to the North Bay of Bengal by May 24, with wind speeds potentially increasing to 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph.

The sea condition is predicted to be rough over the central Bay of Bengal from May 23 and over the North Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards.

The SRC’s advisory specifically warns fishermen against venturing into the central Bay of Bengal starting from May 23 and into the North Bay of Bengal starting from May 24. Fishermen already at sea are advised to return to the coast by May 23 to avoid the hazardous conditions.