The cyclone threat in Odisha may increase starting in October. There is a possibility of three cyclones occurring between October and December. According to an assessment by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, three cyclones could form in the North Indian Ocean covering both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
While the formation of three cyclones is not unusual, the cause for concern is that the intensity of these cyclones could be significantly higher than normal.
Compared to the average over the past 44 years, the combined destructive energy of cyclones during the October-December period of 2026 could be approximately 83 percent higher.
It is worth mentioning here that, October and November are months prone to cyclone threat in Odisha. In the past, several powerful cyclones originating from the Bay of Bengal have impacted the state during this period. If a cyclone intensifies significantly this time, factors such as strong winds, extremely heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding could pose a major threat.
However, there is no cause for panic at this stage. ISRO has not predicted that three cyclones will strike Odisha. Furthermore, there have been no forecasts regarding the specific path of any cyclone or where it might make landfall.
This is merely a seasonal assessment indicating that environmental conditions could be conducive to the formation of powerful cyclones during the upcoming cyclone season. Once a low-pressure area or a depression forms, the IMD’s forecast regarding whether it will intensify into a cyclone, how powerful it will be, and the direction it will take is of utmost importance.
