Cyclonic Storm Komen Update: Heavy Rainfall Expected Over Bangladesh, India

Noida, UP, July 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Deep depression in northeast Bay of Bengal has further intensified into a cyclonic storm, named as ‘Komen’. The storm is presently centered at 21.7°N and 91.2°E, around 95 kilometers from Chittagong, Bangladesh and 300 kilometers from Kolkata.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Bangladesh coast between Barisal and Chittagong anytime on Thursday afternoon. The system will be accompanied by the squally winds of 70 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph. After hitting Bangladesh coast, the cyclone will start moving northwestwards and enter into Indian landmass of West Bengal. Thereafter, it will gradually weaken into a deep depression again.

According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, interaction of the system with land surface will inhibit its further intensification. Thus, we can expect Komen to weaken in next 24 hours, which will be one of the shortest duration as a tropical storm.

Heavy to extremely heavy rains will be lashing coastal areas and off-shore islands of Bangladesh, which are likely to be inundated by storm surge. Local authorities have issued a flood alert of danger signal number 7 over the districts of Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur and many more.

Heavy rainfall along with high velocity winds will also be pounding regions of Gangetic West Bengal and coastal areas of North Odisha, creating flood-like situation.

According to Skymet, development of cyclone during Monsoon season is not very common. As per the statistics, there has been only one cyclone reported during July since 1981, which was in 1992 near Odisha coast.

Komen has been little different in nature as compared to other cyclones. Firstly, it is in very close proximity to the coast, whereas cyclones usually gain strength in deep waters, far away from the coast. Secondly, most of the storms in Bay of Bengal originate west of 90°E, but Komen is centered at 91.2°E. Moreover, track of these cyclones is between 20°N and 25°N. But model data indicates that as the system travels inland, Komen will move below 20°N.