Very severe cyclone Ornob heads for Andhra coast, gusty winds feared along Bangladesh coast

The very severe cyclonic storm Ornob, positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, is moving towards India's Andhra Pradesh coast, the Meteorological Department has said.

According to the department, the cyclone moved west-northwestwards and was positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas at noon on Tuesday. At that time it was located at 16.2 degrees north latitude and 83.6 degrees east longitude.

The forecast said the cyclone may move further west-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast by noon on Wednesday (28 October).

Under the cyclone's influence, deep convective clouds are forming over the north Bay of Bengal.

The Meteorological Department said gusty or squally winds may blow over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh under its influence.

The forecast issued up to 6pm on Wednesday said rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds may occur at some places over the Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

Elsewhere in the country the sky may remain partly cloudy with mainly dry weather, the forecast said. At the same time, the mild heatwave sweeping over Pabna, Sirajganj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Lakshmipur, Bhola and Barisal districts and over the Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may ease.