Updated on August 1, 11:30 am (IST): Komen to bring heavy rains over West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar
Cyclonic storm Komen has weakened in to a depression and is presently situated at 23.2°N and 89.2°E, close to Jessore in Bangladesh. The storm wreaked havoc after making landfall over Bangladesh coast. Not very far away from Kolkata (100 km north/northeast), the storm still sustains strength to bring torrential rain over several parts of West Bengal.
According to Skymet, the weather system is moving in a west/northwest direction and is likely to weaken further into a well-marked low pressure area within next 24 hours. In view of the storm, heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected to lash coastal and southern parts of West Bengal. Heavy rains are likely over Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha as well.
During last 24 hours, flood fury was witnessed in several districts of West Bengal including Hoogly, Midnapore, Burdwan, Asansol, Bankura and 24 Parganas. Here's a look at the rainfall figures:
Kolkata 133.6 mm of rain, Midnapore 89 mm, Burdwan 90.4 mm, Bankura 57 mm and Asansol 62 mm.
Updated on July 31, 9:20 am (IST): Cyclonic Storm Komen weakens into deep depression, to give heavy rains over West Bengal, Odisha and Northeastern states
After making landfall over Bangladesh coast, Cyclonic storm Komen has weakened considerably and is presently sustaining strength of deep depression. The system is still travelling over Bangladesh and is currently centered at 23.1°N and 90°E.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the weather system is moving in northwest direction at a slow pace, with the wind speed gusting from 50 kmph to 70 kmph. It could possibly enter over Indian surface by Friday evening as a depression.
In wake of this, heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected to lash Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha during next 24 to 48 hours. Subsequently, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and parts of Assam are also expected to witness good showers.
Flood threat is looming large over West Bengal and Odisha that have been already reeling under the flood situation. Torrential rains triggered by Komen will only worsen the situation. In view of this. around 26,000 people have already been shifted from low lying areas to the relief camps.
Sea conditions remain rough and fishermen are warned against venturing out into the open sea off and along the West Bengal and Odisha coasts for at least next 24 hours.
In span of last 24 hours from 8:30 am on Thursday, heavy to very heavy rain was recorded over coastal areas of Bangladesh. Rangamati received 134 mm of rain, followed by Teknaf at 93 mm, Cox's Bazar 74 mm, Chuadanga 65.4 mm and Feni 56 mm.
Updated on July 30, 6:00 pm (IST): Cyclone Komen to make landfall soon, storm will continue to give heavy rains over West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh.
Cyclone Komen to make landfall soon, @SkymetWeather
says storm will continue to give heavy rains over #WestBengal #Odisha and #Bangladesh
— Rohit Joshi (@emceeaarjay) July 30,
2015
Updated on July 30, 5:40 pm (IST): West Bengal and Odisha on flood alert as cyclonic storm Komen closes in. Click here for more details Updated on July 30, 4:50 pm (IST): We can expect Komen to weaken in next 24 hours, which will be one of the shortest duration for a tropical storm.
Cyclone Komen: Graphical illustration of the path #Komen is likely to follow during next 24 hours. #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/SuFckGvTij — SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) July 30, 2015
Updated on July 30, 4:30 pm (IST): We can expect Komen to weaken in next 24 hours, which will be one of the shortest duration for a tropical storm.
Cyclone Komen: We can expect #Komen to weaken in next 24 hours, which will be one of the shortest duration for a tropical storm. —
SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) July 30,
2015
Updated on July 30, 4:20 pm (IST): Authorities have issued a flood alert of danger signal number 7 in Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur and other districts.
Updated on July 30, 3:40 pm (IST): Cyclonic storm Komen approaches Bangladesh, coastal areas on alert.
Cyclone Komen: Cyclonic storm #Komen approaches #Bangladesh, coastal areas on alert. pic.twitter.com/0gsakcUlr4 — SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) July 30, 2015
Updated on July 30, 3:00 pm (IST): Heavy rainfall with high velocity winds likely to pound regions of Gangetic West Bengal and coastal areas of North Odisha.
Cyclone Komen: Heavy rainfall with high velocity winds likely to pound regions of Gangetic #WestBengal and coastal areas of North #Odisha
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) July 30,
2015
Updated on July 30, 2:30 pm (IST): Mizoram government issues heavy rain warning in view of Cyclone Komen approaching Bangladesh coast.
Cyclone Komen: #Mizoram government issues heavy rain warning in view of Cyclone #Komen approaching #Bangladesh coast. — SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) July 30, 2015
Updated on July 30, 2:10 pm (IST): Cyclone Komen approaching Chittagong coast, operations on water routes halted.
Updated on July 30, 2:00pm (IST): Komen made landfall around 1:30 PM as per JTWC. Expected to weaken though heavy rains to continue.
#Komen made landfall around 1:30 PM as per JTWC. Expected to weaken though heavy rains to continue @SkymetWeather pic.twitter.com/mJsNtR6gMc
— ChennaiRains (@ChennaiRains) July 30,
2015
Updated on July 30, 1:00pm (IST): 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.
