Cyclone Lila Forms in Bay of Bengal

A new tropical storm, Cyclone Lila, has formed over the central Bay of Bengal and is rapidly gaining strength, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone is expected to make landfall along the Odisha West Bengal coastline within 72 hours. Currently classified as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds exceeding 100 km/h, Lila is forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. IMD has issued red alerts for coastal districts including Puri, Balasore, Paradip, Digha, and East Midnapore. Fishermen have been ordered to return to shore, and ports have been put on high alert. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) are being deployed to vulnerable areas. Evacuation of low lying villages has already begun, with over 50,000 people relocated to cyclone shelters. Relief kits, emergency food supplies, and generators are being stockpiled. Schools and colleges in affected regions will remain shut for the rest of the week. Cyclone Lila is expected to bring torrential rains, flash floods, and storm surges up to 1.5 meters along coastal belts. Authorities are closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory using satellite imaging and high resolution Doppler radars. Indian Railways has already cancelled several train routes as a precaution. This is the second major cyclone of the season and highlights the growing intensity of tropical storms in the region, likely exacerbated by warming ocean waters due to climate change. Post landfall, the system is expected to move inland and weaken, but heavy rainfall could impact Jharkhand and Bihar.