Phailin weakens, turns into 'deep depression': IMD

NEW DELHI: After wrecking havoc in coastal belts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, cyclonic storm Phailin weakened further turning into "deep depression" this evening.

According to M Mohapatra, scientist ( Cyclone Warning Division) of the Meteorology Department, the "cyclonic storm" has now turned to "deep depression" with the wind speed of 45-55 kmph.

It currently lays over northern Chhattisgarh, parts of Orissa and Jharkhand. It is expected to weaken further late tonight, he said.

When Philian made landfall yesterday late evening, the wind speed was around 200 kmph.

The cyclone which was strong until today early morning started weakening as the day progressed.

The IMD said, however, as it moves north-northwest, Bihar will get heavy rainfall in next 48 hours and then the Himalayan region of Nepal in next 72 hours. This could lead to swelling of rivers and "flood-like situation" in Bihar.

The Bihar government has already been alerted about this.