A low pressure has formed over the Bay of Bengal, which could intensify further and turn into a cyclonic storm, meteorologists warned Thursday, report agencies.
Bangladesh Meteorologi-cal Department (BMD) on the day issued an alert to the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra over the weather condition.
Fishing boats and trawlers have also been advised not to venture deeper into the sea, and advised the seaports in the south to await further instructions.
The early indications are that a potential cyclone could hurtle towards the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal in India, it said.
The India Meteorological Department said a cyclonic storm could start brewing over the west-central Bay of Bengal in the next 48 hours. If a cyclone does form, it is expected to be named 'Sitrang', picked by Thailand.
Under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over North Andaman Sea and neighbourhood, a low-pressure area formed over North Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of South Andaman Sea and southeast Bay of Bengal on Wednesday and it persisted over the same region on Thursday.
It is very likely to move west-northwest wards and concentrate into a depression over east central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around October 22 and into a deep depression on October 23.
Subsequently, it is likely to re-curve northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal by October 24.
Thereafter, it is likely to move gradually north-northeast and reach West Bengal, Bangladesh coasts skirting the Odisha coast by October 25, said the bulletin.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman said that the government is alert about the threat of a possible cyclone. If a cyclone does materialise, the authorities will take appropriate measures to mitigate possible devastation, he added.
"We are cautious. The BMD works jointly with the met offices of Japan and India."