Heavy rains likely in Odisha due to depression

BHUBANESWAR: Heavy to very heavy rains coupled with strong surface winds are likely to pound several places of Odisha till tomorrow under the influence of a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

Latest satellite imageries and synoptic observations indicate that a well marked low pressure area over Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha Coast has concentrated into a depression and lay centered about 200 km south of Puri, the Met Centre here said today.

Rain and thundershower would occur at most places over Odisha during next 24 hours under its impact, according to A K Majhi, Director In-Charge of IMD, Bhubaneswar.

Similarly, heavy to very heavy falls at a few places would occur over south Odisha and heavy to very heavy falls would lash one or two places over north Odisha during next 24 hours, the IMD bulletin said. Local Cautionary Signal Number-Three (LC-III) is hoisted at all ports in Odisha.

Strong and squally surface wind from north-easterly direction with 45-55 kmph speed and gusting up to 65 kmph would occur along and off Odisha Coast, it said.

Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off Odisha Coast and fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea. The system would move northwestwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Puri by tonight.