Depression triggers rain in Odisha, more downpour likely

BHUBANESWAR: The depression over Bay of Bengal intensified today, triggering rain in several areas of Odisha and raising the likelihood of a downpour in the state over the next two days.

The depression over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards at a speed of about 20 kmph, intensified into a deep depression and lay centered 510 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, the Meteorological Centre here said.

The system is likely to move towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts tomorrow morning, it said.

Under its impact, rain or thundershower may occur at most places in the coastal belts and some areas in the interior districts of Odisha in the next two days.

"Heavy rainfall is expected at 10 districts - Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Khorda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Malkangiri and Koraput in the next 48 hours," the director of local MeT centre, S C Sahu, said.

Meanwhile, rainfall was reported from several places in Ganjam, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Puri districts since last night.

In view of the weather condition, the MeT office has advised the hoisting of Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) at all ports of Odisha.

Squally winds at a speed gusting up to 60 kmph are likely to prevail along and off the Odisha coasts up to December 10.

As sea condition would be rough to very rough during this period, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the waters, Sahu added.