Tropical Cyclone “Sitrang” strengthening on its way toward Bangladesh

Tropical Cyclone “Sitrang” formed in the Bay of Bengal on October 23, 2022, as the second named storm of the 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. The cyclone is strengthening on its way toward Bangladesh where landfall is expected during the morning hours (LT) of October 25.

At 03:00 UTC on October 24, the center of Cyclonic Storm “Sitrang” was located about 380 km (236 miles) south of Sagar Islands and 520 km (323 miles) SSW of Barisal, Bangladesh, according to the RMSC New Delhi.

The system had a maximum sustained wind speed of 85 km/h (52 mph) and an estimated central pressure of 995 hPa.¹

Sitrang is expected to continue moving NNE and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the next 12 hours, with a maximum sustained surface wind speed of 90 – 100 km/h (55 – 62 mph).

Continuing to move NNE thereafter, it is very likely to cross the coast of Bangladesh between Tinkona Island and Sandwip, close to Barisal on the morning of October 25 (LT).

The cyclone is bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the region.

Additionally, high sea conditions are prevailing over the west-central and adjoining east-central Bay
of Bengal and the north Bay of Bengal.

Rough to very rough sea conditions are prevailing along and off the Odisha-West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts. Sea condition is forecast to become high to very high from the evening of October 24 along and off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts.

Very high to high sea conditions are forecast over the north Bay of Bengal along and off Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts during the morning hours of October 25 and improve gradually from noon.

Tidal wave of about 2.4 m (8 feet) above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of the coast of Bangladesh near the landfall area around the time of landfall.

Tidal wave of about 1 m (3.3 feet) height above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of West Bengal (North and South 24 Parganas) around the time of landfall.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the central Bay of Bengal, along and off the coast of Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh on October 24 and 25.

References:

¹ Cyclonic Storm “Sitrang” – RSMC New Delhi – Advisory NO.5 – 06:30 UTC on October 24, 2022

Featured image credit: Tropical Cyclone “Sitrep” at 03:40 UTC on October 24, 2022. Credit: JMA/NOAA/CIRA, Zoom Earth, The Watchers