Bhubaneswar: The depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Odisha-West Bengal coasts intensified further on Saturday and lay centred at 11:30 AM IST over the same region.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the system was located near latitude 20.8°N and longitude 88.2°E, about 90 km south of Sagar Island in West Bengal, 110 km southeast of Digha, 150 km east of Chandbali and 150 km east-southeast of Balasore in Odisha. The IMD said the depression is moving northwestwards at a speed of 5 kmph and is very likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours.
It is expected to cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island around forenoon or noon on July 27.Issuing weather warnings for the next three days, the IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall for several districts.
For Sunday, July 26, a red warning has been issued for Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Anugul and Dhenkanal where heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places is very likely.
An orange warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh where heavy to very heavy rain is expected. A yellow warning has been issued for Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam where heavy rain is likely. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph are also likely in coastal and northern districts, while winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected in western and southern Odisha.
For Monday, July 27, the IMD has sounded a red warning for Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj with forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rain at one or two places. An orange warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Anugul, Dhenkanal, Subarnapur, Boudh and Kandhamal.
A yellow warning has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh. Gusty winds of 50 to 60 kmph are likely during thunderstorms in coastal districts and 40 to 50 kmph in interior districts.
For Tuesday, July 28, an orange warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Anugul, Subarnapur, Nuapada and Balangir where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places.
A yellow warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 35 to 45 kmph are also likely.
The IMD has warned of possible impacts including localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, closure of underpasses in urban areas, disruption of traffic due to waterlogging and increased travel time.
There may also be occasional reduction in visibility, minor damage to kutcha roads and possibilities of damage to vulnerable structures. People have been advised to check for traffic congestion before leaving for their destination, follow traffic advisories, avoid areas prone to waterlogging and stay indoors during thunderstorms.
In view of the forecast, district administrations have started taking precautionary measures. Several districts including Mayurbhanj and Jagatsinghpur have already announced closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres on July 27.
