Bhubaneswar: The well-marked low-pressure area formed over the central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal lay over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off Odisha- North Andhra Pradesh coasts are likely to concentrate into a depression over the same region during the next 12 hours. It is likely to move north-westwards and cross the Odisha coast during the subsequent 24 hours, according to the prediction of the India Meteorological Department on Friday.
Going by the latest IMD forecast, squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and along and off North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts during the next 48 hours.
Keeping the formation of low pressure in mind, the weather office has advised fishermen not to venture into the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and along and off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha apart from West Bengal coasts during the next two days.
Most parts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next five days under the influence of low pressure, alerts IMD.
For July 19 and 20, IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Boudh and Puri.
Meanwhile, the state government alerted Collectors of six districts to stay prepared to face any possible eventuality in view of the heavy rain under the influence of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.
In a letter to the Collectors, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) asked districts under orange and yellow warning to keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality.
