Heavy Rain Lashes Northeastern States as Cyclone 'Sitrang' Approaches

GUWAHATI: As the cyclonic storm "Sitrang" moved 33 kmph north-northeastward on Monday, rain fell in all the north-eastern states yesterday.

As per sources, within the next six hours, it is quite likely to keep moving north-northeastward and grow much stronger into a severe cyclonic storm. Following that, it is quite likely to pass the Bangladeshi coast between Tinkona Island and Sandwip in close proximity to Barisal around the early hours of October 25.

In various Assam districts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued "Red" and "Orange" alerts for severe rains over the next few days.

Rain has been falling in Assam's Karimganj, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Dima Hasao districts since Monday morning. The IMD predicted extremely heavy rain for Tuesday over the Cachar, Dima, Hasao, and Karimganj districts, as well as heavy to very heavy rain across Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, and West Karbi Anglong.

Meanwhile, IMD also issued red alert for three other Northeastern states- Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura. However, the early morning weather in Guwahati, Assam on Tuesday was cloudy and cold breeze was blowing.

IMD explained in a press release stating that "under Sitrang influence, widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms/lightning/heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rain in isolated spots is highly likely to occur across Tripura on October 24th and 25th 2022."

IMD reported that from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Monday, the cyclonic storm "Sitrang," which is pronounced "Si-Trang," which was over the northwest and adjacent to the central Bay of Bengal and had a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, crossed the Bangladesh coast between Tinkona and Sandwip close to Barisal.

The West Bengal administration was seen earlier today taking all necessary precautions, including the evacuation of residents and the provision of relief supplies to shelters, to prepare for potential destruction brought on by Cyclone "Sitrang."

Approximately 40 km east of Dhaka, 50 km west-southwest of Agartala, and 120 km north-northeast of Barisal (Bangladesh), according to IMD officials, it was centred at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday over coastal Bangladesh near latitude 23.70N and longitude 90.80E.

"The cyclone is quite likely to deteriorate into a depression within the next six hours and further into a well-marked low-pressure region during the following six hours," it added.

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