New Delhi [India], November 17 (ANI): The cyclonic storm "Midhili" is currently located over the Northeast Bay of Bengal close to the Bangladesh coast and is likely to move north-northeastward and cross the Bangladesh coast near Khepupara with wind speeds of 60-70 kilometres per hour (kmph) gusting to 80 kmph during the evening and night of November 17, 2023.

"The cyclonic storm "Midhili" over North West and adjoining North East Bay of Bengal moved North to North Eastward with a speed of 25 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 0900 UTC of today, the 17th November over North East and adjoining North West Bay of Bengal close to Bangladesh coast near latitude 21.8 degree North and longitude 90 degree East, " posted India Meteorological Department on X.

"30 km South to South West of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and 250 km SW of Chittagong (Bangladesh). Observations indicate that Cyclonic Storm "Midhili" is crossing the Bangladesh coast close to Khepupara with a wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph. Landfall process will be completed during next 3 hrs," said IMD.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of Bangladesh, as well as a storm surge of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and people living in low-lying areas have been advised to evacuate to higher ground.

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

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.

"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 IMD stated in its bulletin.

"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.

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).

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

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.

"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. (ANI)